Free national bus travel and Metro Gold Cards for people aged 60 and over and disabled passengers Your questions answered People aged 60 and over and disabled passengers are entitled to free local ‘concessionary’ bus travel anywhere in England.
That means cardholders can enjoy all the benefits of the previous concessionary travel scheme within Tyne and Wear, but with the added freedom to travel anywhere in the country for this first time.
Below are some simple Questions and Answers to help Tyne and Wear residents understand this new privilege and how to take advantage of it.
Q: What changed on April 1, 2008?
A: People aged 60 and over and disabled passengers can be able to travel anywhere in England by local bus. Until April 1, these groups could travel free within Tyne and Wear, or their respective local council areas in other parts of the country, but had to pay for journeys or parts of journeys outside their own area. Q: If I’m not paying to catch the bus, then who is?
The Government is funding the scheme, which will benefit 11 million people across England. The Government gives Local Authorities and Nexus money which is in turn paid to bus companies in compensation for the ‘free’ journeys they carry.
Nexus also puts extra money in to offer extra concessions for 220,000 Tyne and Wear cardholders on top of the basic national scheme. These are detailed below. Q: Who is eligible for free local bus travel?
A: Any man or woman aged 60 or over, and disabled people of any age who have been confirmed as eligible by their local social services department. Q: How do I take advantage of this scheme?
A: You need a new national concessionary travel card, issued by Nexus to qualifying people resident in Tyne and Wear. Existing Nexus concessionary travel passholders were automatically sent the new credit card-sized plastic cards ready for the new scheme. If you don’t hold a current pass you need to apply through a Nexus TravelShop. There is no charge for a pass. Q: When can I travel?
A: Free bus travel for those eligible runs from 9.30am until 11pm on weekdays, and all day weekends and bank holidays, across England. In Tyne and Wear extra local concessions also apply (see below) Q: What special concessions exist in Tyne and Wear?
A: A number of extra concessions funded by Nexus are available to Tyne and Wear cardholders travelling within Tyne and Wear:
Cardholders can travel before 9.30am to and from hospital appointments, provided they have an appointment card or letter.
Cardholders can also travel on normal bus services after 11pm within Tyne and Wear, but not designated ‘night’ buses.
Disabled passengers who work or are in full-time education for 15 hours per week or more are entitled to an "All Day" card allowing travel before 9:30am.
If you are not from Tyne and Wear or are travelling outside Tyne and Wear these concessions do not apply.
Q: Does my bus journey have to start or end in Tyne and Wear?
A: No. You can get on a local bus anywhere in England, providing you have the new national card. You cannot, however use the card to travel in Scotland or Wales. You will have to pay for any part of a journey that goes into either country. These countries have their own, separate, schemes. Q: Is Metro, rail or the Shields Ferry included in the free travel scheme?
A: No, but Tyne and Wear resident cardholders can buy a Metro Gold Card for unlimited travel on Metro during the same hours as free bus travel. This also allows travel on rail services between Sunderland and Newcastle. Metro Gold Card is available from Nexus to Tyne and Wear residents only. Travel on the Shields Ferry and rail services between Newcastle, MetroCentre and Blaydon will cost 50p single for Tyne and Wear cardholders. Other cardholders will pay the full adult fare. Q: What about other coach travel?
A: Scheduled coach services are not included (where they are not also registered as a local bus service) but the Government's existing, separate scheme for concessionary half-fares on scheduled coach services introduced in May 2003 will continue. It is up to coach operators to decide whether or not to take part in this scheme, but National Express, Berry's and Baker Dolphin participate. Q: What is the definition of a 'local' bus?
A: Cardholders can travel free on all local buses in, to or from Tyne and Wear, with the exception of the Newcastle city tourist bus, and national coach services (see above). Some local buses travel quite long distances, such as to Carlisle or Middlesbrough, but are still included because of the number of stops they make on the way.
There are other exceptions you might come across in different parts of the country where cardholders cannot travel free, such as tourist buses and airport shuttles.
However, cardholders may be able to travel on some tour buses in rural areas and the element of any coach service that is registered as a local bus service, which is the case in a few rural areas such as Cornwall.
If in doubt, cardholders should check with the operator before travel. Q: What about special community transport?
A: Special community transport in Tyne and Wear, such as ‘shopper’ services and TaxiLink, are not included in the scheme and cardholders will have to pay a fare for these, just as they do at the moment.
In other parts of the country similar services may be offered free to local or national cardholders. If you are using such a service you should check before travel. Q: Will I be issued with a ticket when I board a bus?
A: You are entitled to free travel provided you show a valid card. In some areas bus drivers issue zero-priced tickets as a way of recording concessionary trips so they can charge a local authority for them. However, the ticket is not a legal requirement and has no bearing on an eligible person's entitlement to free travel. Q: How do I use my new national card?
A: In Tyne and Wear simply show it to the driver on boarding a bus.
If you use your card in other parts of the country you may be asked to place it in a special reader as you board a bus, rather than show it to the driver. Q: What do I do if I haven't received my new national pass? A: If you haven't received your new national card yet please email us at contactus@nexus.org.uk giving your name, address, any previous address and your current Tyne and Wear CT card number (this is printed on the pass). Please title your email 'CT pass enquiry'. You can also call our CT bureau on 0191 20 20 720.
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