Free Bus Passes for Older People and People with a Qualifying Disability

Image of the new National Concessionary Bus Pass Elmbridge residents aged over 60 and those with qualifying disabilities are entitled to free off-peak bus travel throughout England on local scheduled bus services.

Age of Eligibility Set to Rise

Please note:- from the 6 April 2010, the age of eligibility for concessionary travel for both men and women will begin to rise incrementally from 60 to 65 years of age by April 2020 . These increments are spread over 10 years in-line with the government's programme to raise the pensionable age women from 60 to 65 years of age.

A timetable of when residents whose birthdays fall after the 6 April 2010 and are under the age of 65 can apply for a bus pass is available to |download and view here.

Applying for a Concessionary Bus Pass

In order to obtain your free bus pass you must apply for it through Elmbridge Borough Council's Community Support Services department. For all your information needs on free bus passes please see below:

|How to apply for a Senior Citizen's Bus Pass?
|How do I obtain an application form?
|Who can apply for a Disabled Person's Bus Pass?
|How do I apply for a Disabled Bus Pass?
|When can I travel?
|Where can I travel?
|Where do I obtain information on bus timetables and bus routes throughout the UK?
|Further information

|How to apply for a Senior Citizen's Bus Pass?

In order to obtain your bus pass you will need to submit a recent passport style head and shoulders colour photograph of yourself (45mm x 35mm), and provide us with proof of age and residency in Elmbridge - clear copies of original documents are accepted.

Examples could include:

Proof of Eligible Age: Pension book, pension card, driving licence, passport, birth certificate (please see change in eligibility age above)
Proof of Address: Recent utility bill or bank statement

|How do I obtain an application form?

|Download the current application form and return the printed form by post to the |Bus Pass Team c/o Community Support Services or
|Contact the Bus Pass Team directly to receive your form in the post.

|Who can apply for a Disabled Person's Bus Pass?

To qualify for a disabled person's pass you must live in Elmbridge, be over 5 years of age and one of the following:

Severely sight impaired or sight impaired (blind, or partially sighted) and registered as such with Surrey County Council or SAVI
Profoundly or severely deaf
Without speech
Without the use of both arms
Suffering from a long-term disability which seriously impairs your ability to walk
Have a learning disability
Have been refused a driving licence on medical grounds or would be if you applied

|How do I apply for a Disabled Bus Pass?

If you are under 60 and applying for a disabled person's bus pass you need to provide proof of residence in Elmbridge, plus confirmation of your disability (e.g. Higher Rate Mobility Component Disability Living Allowance (DLA) receipt), your application form and a passport-sized photograph.

If you are registered blind or partially sighted please show your registration card or letter.

If you do not have the proof we ask for, you will need to submit a |Certificate of Eligibility which should be signed by a qualified professional.

If you have a different type of proof from that listed below please tell us and we will let you know if we can accept it.

Substantial Mobility or Walking Difficulties
You will need to provide evidence of: Disability Living Allowance (higher rate mobility component) or Attendance Allowance or War Pensioners Mobility Supplement or a Disabled Persons parking permit (Blue Badge), Exemption from road tax or participation in the Motability scheme or Certificate of Eligibility (Physical or Sensory Impairment).
Blind or Partially Sighted (Severely Sight Impaired/Sight Impaired)
You will need to provide a registration card/certificate from SAVI (Surrey Association for Visual Impairment) showing that you are registered "severely sight impaired/blind" or "sight impaired/partially sighted" or a Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) signed by a Consultant Ophthalmologist or a Certificate of Eligibility (Physical or Sensory Impairment).
Profound or Severely Deaf
You will need to provide an Audiologist's written report or a letter from your Hospital Consultant or Specialist or a Certificate of Eligibility (Physical or Sensory Impairment).
Without Speech
You will need to have a Certificate of Eligibility (Physical or Sensory Impairment).
No arms or loss of long-term use of both arms
You will need to provide evidence of Disability Living Allowance (higher rate mobility component) or Disability Living Allowance (middle or higher rate care component) or evidence in writing from a prosthetics clinic or physiotherapist or rehabilitation centre or Certificate of Eligibility (Physical or Sensory Impairment)
Learning Disability
Adults - Disability Living Allowance (higher rate or middle rate of care component if awarded on grounds of learning difficulties or Certificate of Eligibility (Learning Disability).
Children Under 16 - Disability Living Allowance and receive either mobility or care component at any rate if either or both are awarded on the grounds of learning disabilities or Certificate of Eligibility (Learning Disability).
Refused a Driving Licence or would be on grounds of other than misuse of drugs or alcohol for example through Epilepsy, Severe Mental Disorder, Giddiness / Fainting
You will need to show us a DVLA refusal letter D206, D235, D220, NS57 or a Certificate of Eligibility (Physical or Sensory Impairment) or Certificate of Eligibility (Mental Health)

|When can I travel?

You can use your aged 60 or over bus pass after 0900* Mondays to Fridays within the Administrative County of Surrey and any time at weekends or public holidays. Passes are not valid for journeys which begin after 2300 Mondays to Fridays.

You can use your disabled person's bus pass at any time Mondays to Sundays.

* After 0930 in the Surrey Heath Borough Council Area.

If you are planning to travel outside the Administrative County of Surrey we advise that you check starting times with the appropriate Local Authority before setting out on your journey.

|Where can I travel?

You can use your new bus pass for free travel on most local services throughout England (after 0930 Mondays to Fridays). In Greater London/TFL-operated areas the pass is valid on London Bus services all day, every day. Please note that London transport buses use Smart readers which scan smartcards such as Oystercards and Freedom Passes. You bus pass is currently not recognised by Smart readers. You'll need to show your pass to the driver when boarding the bus and, on rare occasions, may need to explain this.

You cannot use your new bus pass on: