The Government has responded to a petition signed by more than 90,000 people calling for free bus travel to be extended in England – here are the current rules
The Government has issued a response to calls to change the rules on free bus passes for older people in England. A petition calling for concessionary travel passes to be extended to more ages has surpassed 90,000 signatures, fast approaching the 100,000 threshold required to trigger a debate in Parliament.
In most areas of England, you become eligible for a Concessionary Travel Pass on your 66th birthday. However, there have been growing calls to lower this age in line with other parts of the UK, such as in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the city of London where free travel kicks in at age 60 – with campaigners hitting out at this “unacceptable” disparity.
However, the response to the petition from the Department for Transport warns that “any changes to the statutory scheme must be carefully considered for their impact on its financial sustainability”, with the existing concessionary travel scheme already costing around £700 million per year. It added that local authorities have the power to offer additional concessions.
With free bus passes hitting the headlines recently, here’s a reminder of the full list of places of when and where a Concessionary Travel Pass for older Tyne and Wear residents can be used on public transport across the region. There are also separate Concessionary Travel Schemes for those aged under 16 and disabled residents – more information can be found on the Nexus website.
In addition, it’s worth knowing that while a Concessionary Travel Pass can typically only be used from 9.30am on weekdays, there is an exception if you need to travel before this time to get to or from a hospital appointment. Just show your hospital appointment card or letter with your pass when requested in order to travel for free.
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Buses
Concessionary Travel Pass holders can travel free of charge on buses in Tyne and Wear from 9.30am Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on public holidays. In addition, travel is free anywhere else in England on local buses between 9.30am-11.00pm Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and on public holidays.
Just touch your card on the reader by the ticket machine when you board the bus. You must pay the full adult fare if travelling before 9.30am Monday-Friday.
Metros
If you have a Concessionary Travel Pass, you can also get unlimited travel on the Metro as well as on Northern Rail services between Newcastle and Sunderland and the Shields Ferry (more details below), but only if you buy a Metro Gold Card. This is priced at £12 a year for Tyne and Wear residents.
On all Metro services and Northern train services between Newcastle and Sunderland, if you do not have a Metro Gold Card, you must pay the full adult fare at all times.
Trains
Concessionary Travel Pass holders can travel for 50p on Northern Rail services between Newcastle and the Metrocentre/Blaydon from 9.30am Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on public holidays. As mentioned, you can also get unlimited travel on Northern Rail services between Newcastle and Sunderland if you buy a Metro Gold Card for £12 per year.
You will need to buy your 50p ticket from a ticket machine before you board a train – you will pay the adult fare from a conductor if you could have purchased a ticket at the station where you boarded the train. You will need to show the conductor your pass.
You must pay the full adult fare before 9.30am Monday-Friday. On Northern train services on the Northumberland Line, if you do not have a Senior Railcard, you must pay the full adult fare at all times.
Shields Ferry
And finally, Concessionary Travel Pass holders can travel for 60p on the Shields Ferry from 9.30am Monday to Friday, as well as all day at weekends and on public holidays. Alternatively, a Metro Gold Card allows unlimited travel on the Shields Ferry.
Show the ferry operator your pass to buy your 60p ticket. You must pay the full adult fare before 9.30am Monday-Friday.
