gov.wales : Applying For Bus Pass United Kingdom

Name of the Organization : Wales Government
Type of Facility : Applying For Bus Pass
Country : Wales, UK

Website : http://gov.wales/topics/transport/public/concessionary/?lang=en

Concessionary Travel :

If you live in Wales and are aged 60 or over or disabled you may be entitled to free travel within Wales.

Related : Welsh Government Housing Finance & Social Grant : www.statusin.org/9223.html

Bus passes:
Welsh concessionary bus passes are for those who live in Wales and meet one of these criteria:
** are aged 60 or over
** disabled – see the categories below
** injured service personnel or injured service veterans and receive an award under tariffs 1-8 of the War Veterans Compensation Scheme or the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.

The pass can be used at any time of day. A disabled person may request one companion pass for when they require assistance to travel.

Applying for a pass:
The scheme is run by local authorities. Contact your local authority for information about free bus travel and how to apply for a pass.

You will need to provide evidence to your local authority to confirm that you are eligible. Your local authority will issue you with a bus pass (Smartcard) if you are eligible.

Categories of disabled persons:
You will be eligible for the pass at any age if you:
** have sight loss
** are deaf
** cannot speak
** have an impairment with a substantial and long term adverse affect on ability to walk
** are without arms or have long term loss of the use of both arms
** have a cognitive impairment
** would be refused a driving license due to a condition other than persistent substance misuse
** have a cardiac, locomotor, renal or neurological condition
** receive the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment
** receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance.

Rail travel:
Where bus services are limited, bus passes can be used on certain train lines. This is open to all free bus pass holders in Wales when travelling on these lines. The scheme is currently funded until 31 March 2015.

The lines covered by the scheme are:
** the Borderlands Line between Wrexham Central and Hawarden Bridge
** the Conwy Valley Line from Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog
** the Cambrian Coast Line between Pwllheli and Machynlleth
** the Heart of Wales Line between Llanelli and Knighton.

The scheme operates year round on the Borderlands and Conwy Valley Lines and during the autumn and winter months on the Heart of Wales and Cambrian Coast Lines.

Concessionary Travel Scheme Guidance :
A Common Approach to Eligibility :
** The applicant is responsible for proving their entitlement by providing the documentary evidence as set out below.
** Four broad categories of people should be considered for a statutory concession, once residency has been confirmed.
** People aged 60 and over;
** Eligible disabled people (where no age limits apply) – there are seven categories of disabled people who are entitled to the concessionary bus pass (details are set out below);

** Companions of “severely” disabled people who meet specific criteria and who are entitled to free travel only when accompanying a companion pass holder (but passes in these cases should not be issued automatically); and

** “Seriously” injured service personnel or “seriously” injured service veterans who meet specific criteria.