From Tuesday 6 April 2010 you will no longer be eligible for a travel pass on your 60th birthday. The qualifying age will rise step-by-step over the next 10 years so that by 2020, people will qualify at their 65th birthday.
Q1. Why is the council doing this?
A. The council is complying with a decision by the Government to raise the qualifying age for travel passes. The order was made on 1 March 2010 and comes into effect on 6 April 2010.
Q2. Is this anything to do with the change in the retirement pension qualifying age for women?
A. It’s part of the Government’s overall long-term plan. The qualifying age for women’s retirement pensions and other age-related benefits such as winter fuel allowance is rising towards 65 in exactly the same steps. Please note that the travel pass changes affect both men and women equally.
Q3. Are there any other changes to the scheme?
A. No. If you have a pass you can use it just as you did before on buses throughout England and local trains.
Q4. I applied for my pass ages ago but it hasn’t come. Where is it?
A. Make sure that your are at or have passed the date of eligibility. (No matter how far ahead you apply, the system won’t produce the pass till the day before you qualify). If you are past the qualifying age, contact the Public Transport Team (01724 297460) to find out more.
Q5. Does this stop me applying if I’m under 65 and have a disability?
A. No it doesn’t. This change has no effect at all on providing passes for people with disabilities.
Q6. Does this mean that if I’m under 65 you will take my pass away from me?
A. No it doesn’t. Nobody will lose their pass because of this.
Q7. Do I have to wait till I’m 65 to get my travel pass?
A. It depends when you were born. If you were born after 6 April 1955, the answer is Yes. If you were born between 6 April 1950 and 5 April 1955 you will qualify at some age between 60 and 65: consult the table to find out when.
More information:
How to apply
Do I qualify?
Concessionary travel for people with a disability