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Concessionary Travel Scheme

From 1st April 2008 a new bus card will be available that will allow free off-peak bus travel throughout England to those aged over 60 and to disabled people. The new bus card will carry a photograph of the holder and arrangements have been made for all those residents in the Bridgnorth District who wish to obtain the new bus card to have their photograph taken.

What you need to do

Decide whether you want a Bus Card or one of the other concessions below.

If you want a Bus Card please telephone 01746 713100 to make an appointment (or you can make an appointment online) to have your photograph taken at one of the following locations:

• Customer Services, Westgate, Bridgnorth
• Albrighton Library
• Bridgnorth Library and Customer First Point
• Broseley Library and Customer First Point
• Highley Customer First Point
• Much Wenlock Library
• Shifnal Library and Customer First Point

If you do not want to apply for the bus card and wish to claim one of the other concessions below, you need take no action now. We will write to everyone who has not claimed a bus card in February/March 2008.

Do I qualify for Concessionary Travel?

If you live in the District of Bridgnorth and come within at least one of the groups listed below, you may be entitled to concessionary travel.

• A resident aged 60 or older.

OR

• People registered blind or partially sighted (BD8 form)
• People registered deaf and/or with profound speech impairment
• People with a learning disability
• People who are not permitted to drive on medical grounds
• People without the use of both arms
• People who have a disability that seriously impairs their ability to walk.  

Other Concessions

Applicants can only claim ONE of the following:

• Bus Card; or
• National Rail Card; or
• Travel Tokens; or
• Cliff Railway Vouchers; or
• Community Car Scheme Vouchers.

Bus Card

Aged 60 and over or disabled.

This gives free travel on local bus services anywhere in England between 9.30am and 11.00pm, Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and Bank Holidays.

The Bus Card (smartcard) will hold information electronically about the cardholder such as name, address and date of birth and also the expiry date of the card. In time, bus operators will also install card readers on buses, which will reduce boarding times.

National Rail Card

Aged 60 and over only

The National Rail Card can be used on most national rail services and entitles you to one third off the cost of rail travel around the country, and is available at the cost of £5 per applicant, and is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.

Cheques/Postal Orders should be payable to Bridgnorth District Council, please note that cash will only be accepted at the Westgate offices, Bridgnorth.

Travel Tokens

Disabled Only.

Applicants are entitled to tokens to the value of £30 which can be used on public bus services, the voluntary/community car schemes, National Rail Travel the Cliff Railway and most taxis.

Cliff Railway Voucher

Aged 60 and over only.

The Cliff Railway Voucher is free of charge and entitlles the applicant to a pack of 36 return tickets.
To receive your tickets the voucher must be presented to the bottom Cliff Railway Station on Monday to Friday only.

Community Car Scheme Vouchers

Aged 60 and over only.

The Community Car scheme assists local people to make essential journeys such as visits to medical centres, dentists and to visit family and friends in hospital. All journeys need to be booked in advance by telephone through a scheme co-ordinator. Applicants are entitled to 20 x £1 vouchers for use within the remit of the Community Car Scheme.

co-ordinator scheme list 

How to Apply/Claim

To claim your concession you can visit it us at one of the following:

• Customer Services, Westgate, Bridgnorth;
• Albrighton Library;
• Bridgnorth Library and Shropshire Customer First Point;
• Broseley Library and Shropshire Customer First Point;
• Highley Shropshire Customer First Point;
• Much Wenlock Library;
• Shifnal Library and Shropshire Customer First Point.

Please Note: If you are applying for a Bus Card you will need to make an appointment online or call 01746 713100, to have your photograph taken first.

Opening times list.

You can apply for concessionary travel online.

Proof of Eligibility

When claiming your travel concession you need to bring with you proof that you live in Bridgnorth District and proof of your age or disability eligibility.

Read the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 definition of disability.

Proof of Age:

• Pension Book
• Pension Registration Card
• Birth Certificate
• Driving Licence
• Passport

Possession of a Debit Payment Card is not acceptable proof.

Proof of eligible disability:

• Disability Living Allowance book or letter
• War Pension/Mobility Allowance book or letter
• Attendance Allowance/Invalid Care Allowance book or letter
• Industrial Injuries disability benefit book or letter
• Letter from the Department of Transport withdrawing or refusing a driving licence on medical grounds
• Registration card or letter of disability from your doctor

Originals must be provided - photocopies will not be accepted.

Please Note....

These are NOT acceptable proofs of an eligible disability:

• Department of Employment Green Cards
• Invalidity Beneft
• Sickness Benefit
• Severe Disability Allowance
• Statutory Sick Pay
• Incapacity Benefit

More information...?

For more information on issuing arrangements and concessions, please contact:

Customer Services
Bridgnorth District Council
Westgate
Bridgnorth
Shropshire
WV16 5AA
Telephone: (01746) 713100
email: contactus@bridgnorth-dc.gov.uk