The scheme is available to residents under the Transport Act 2000 and the Concessionary Bus Travel Act 2007, and offers those eligible the choice between:
1) Concessionary Bus Pass
2) Taxi Vouchers
Details of these options, eligibility and how to apply are all outlined below.
Please note with effect from 20 July 2008 the concessionary fare travel scheme was further enhanced as follows:-
free travel on local bus services all day, every day on any bus journey starting in Darlington Borough, including those which extend outside of the Borough, for example to Durham.
How to apply?
If you qualify by age, simply take proof of your date of birth and that your permanent residence is in Darlington with you to the town hall.
You will be required to complete a short application form and your photograph will be taken. If you wish you can download the application form and take the completed form with you to the town hall:
Concessionary Application Form
If you are applying on grounds of disability please complete the application form below (Verification will be sought from either Social Services or your Doctor):
Disabled Travel Application
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Future changes to the age you can get a free bus pass |
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The Government has proposed changes, to start in April 2010, to the age at which people can receive a free bus pass through the National Concessionary Travel Scheme.
Because Darlington Borough Council is part of the scheme and is funded by Government to provide concessionary passes, it is bound to follow these changes should these be confirmed.
Under the proposals, from 6 April 2010 people would no longer be eligible to receive a free bus pass when they reach their 60th birthday.
Instead both men and women would become eligible in line with the rise in the age at which women become eligible for a state pension. This is rising on a sliding scale, from 60 to 65, between 2010 and 2020.
What you need to do:
If you already have a concessionary pass: This will not affect you in any way.
If you turn 60 before 6 April 2010: You will be eligible for a pass from your 60th birthday. You can apply to Darlington Borough Council in the normal way.
If you turn 60 after 6 April 2010: You would become eligible for a pass sometime after your 60th birthday. We will publish full details of when on this site soon, and advise you about any changes to our application process.
If you receive a pass as a result of a disability: This will not affect you in any way.
Please watch out for further information about these changes on this website. |
Concessionary Bus Pass
Who can apply?
1) Those who are aged 60 and over
2) Those who meet the National Criteria for Travel Disability as someone who:
· is blind or partially sighted,
· is profoundly or severely deaf,
· is without speech,
· has a disability, or has suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his ability to walk,
· does not have arms or has long-term loss of the use of both arms,
· has a learning disability, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning, or,
· would, if he/she applied for the grant of a licence to drive a motor vehicle under Part lll of the Road Traffic Act 1988, have the application refused pursuant to section 92 of that Act (physical fitness) otherwise than on the ground of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol.
What is the entitlement?
Free travel on local buses anywhere in England from 9.30am until 11pm Monday to Friday, all day on weekends and bank holidays.
Eligible Darlington residents are also entitled to:
- Free travel within Darlington Borough until midnight on weekdays.
- Companion passes for those who require assistance to travel by bus within the Borough.
Taxi Vouchers
Who can apply?
Those who cannot use cannot use conventional bus transport:
- Residents aged 75 and over
- Residents of Nursing Homes within the Borough or
- Those who meet the National Criteria for Travel Disability.
What is the entitlement?
- Vouchers will be to the value of £50 and an accompanying pass will be issued.
- The vouchers and pass canl be used on an approved list of Darlington Licenced Taxis/Private Hire Vehicles and in exchange for certain Bus Tickets.
- The vouchers can be used in full or part payment of the fare for any journey starting or finishing in the Borough.
- The vouchers and pass will be valid until 31 March 2009, after which a new allocation will be made.
- Should you become eligible for the scheme part of the way through the year, the allocation reduces pro rata.
What if you decide your current concession no longer suits you?
· Whichever pass you opt for, you can change it free of charge for another option when it expires.
· Should you change your mind prior to your concession expiring or your circumstances change, a fee of £5.00 will apply.
I've lost my pass, what do I do?
If you think you lost your pass while using public transport, please contact the appropriate operator. Call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 if you are unsure which operator’s service you were on.
If the operator has not found your pass, you will need to contact our Customer Services Department and request that a replacement pass is sent out to you. Please note there is an administrative charge of £5 for the replacement pass.
If you have any queries about the Concessionary Travel Scheme or think you may be eligible, contact our Customer Services Department on 01325 388799