NATIONAL BUS PASS SCHEME UPDATE 8/05/08

An astonishing 19,000 applications have been received for new national concessionary travel passes, which is a significant increase on the 14,000 passes that were issued under the local scheme. If you have a question about concessionary travel passes please read the question and answers below, which we hope will answer you enquiry.

How do I apply?

Print off one of two application forms, for the over 60s (only) and for those applying with a disability
Ring us on 08456 500 280 or email us at buspass@scambs.gov.uk(This link will open in a new window) (This link will open in a new window) to ask for one to be sent to you.
Pick up a form at our Cambourne offices.

You will need to send a passport-sized colour photograph with your application, and may need to send proof of entitlement.

How do I qualify?

Bus passes are available to the following groups:

Pensioners (men and women aged 60 or over)
People who qualify for the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioners Mobility Supplement
Those registered deaf
Those who are without speech
Those who are prevented from obtaining a driving licence on medical grounds
Those registered blind or partially sighted
Those who have a learning disability which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning
Those who have long term loss of use of both arms

How long does it take to get my pass?

Passes are produced and issued by a specialist contractor on behalf of the Council. At the moment it normally takes two to three weeks for receiving your application to the pass being delivered.

What is different about the new pass?

The new pass is a plastic smart card, the same size as a credit card. It will be a standard national design to make it easier for bus operators all over the country to recognise. It will have your photograph printed on it.

Can I get my pass at the Post Office like I usually do?

No. The new passes have to be produced by a specialist card manufacturer and cannot be issued at the Post Office.

When will I get my pass?

We will send the new pass to you by post in March 2008. We cannot issue them straight away because the smart cards take some time to produce.

Where can I use my new pass?

You will be able to use the pass on any local bus journey anywhere in England.

I have heard that there are delays in issuing passes, it this true?

Unfortunately, some residents did experience a short delay in receiving their pass due to technical difficulties experienced by the Council's contractor. Contingency arrangements are in place to ensure that no one missed out on free travel due to a delay in issuing their pass (please see the table below). We can also issue a temporary national pass to allow travel outside Cambridgeshire if required.

Anyone applying for a pass now can expect to receive it in around two to three weeks.


Expiry Date on Local Pass	Local Travel (Within Cambridgeshire)	National Travel
Before 31/3/08	Not valid after expiry date	Not valid
31/3/08	Remains valid for local travel (within Cambridgeshire) until 30/4/08	Not valid for travel outside Cambridgeshire
Between 01/04/08 and 30/4/08	Valid for local travel (within Cambridgeshire) until the expiry date or 30/9/08, whichever is sooner	Not valid for travel outside Cambridgeshire
Between 1/5/08 and 30/9/08	Valid for local travel (within Cambridgeshire) until the expiry date or 30/9/08, whichever is sooner	Not valid for travel outside Cambridgeshire
After 30/9/08	Valid for local travel (within Cambridgeshire) only until 30/9/08	Not valid for travel outside Cambridgeshire

I applied some time ago and still have not received my pass - what should I do?

If you applied before the 1st April you should have received you pass by now. If it has not arrived please contact us by telephone on 08456 500 280 or e-mail at buspass@scambs.gov.uk

What is different about the new style passes?

The new pass is a plastic smart card, the same size as a credit card. It is a standard national design to make it easier for bus operators all over the country to recognise. It will have your photograph printed on it and also contains a microchip that can be read by smart card readers installed on some buses

If I swipe my pass on a bus with a smart card reader will the Council will be able to see where I have travelled?

Where smart card reader are installed on buses they can record the pass number, and details of the journey and fare that would have been payable. This information will be used for statistical purposes and to enable the to Council to reimburse the bus operator for the cost of your journey. This journey information will not normally be linked to the personal details of the pass holder.

In certain circumstances, and only where the law allows, we may link the travel information to cardholder information. An example would be for the prevention or detection of fraud.