Travel concessions

All about travel concessions

Colchester's travel concessions scheme helps elderly and disabled people to travel more cheaply on buses. The information below tells you how the scheme works. If you think you may qualify, please ask us for an application form.

Concessionary Passes
If you live in England and are of retirement age or an eligible disabled person, you are entitled to an English National Concessionary Bus Pass. Application forms are available from your local District or Borough Council or can be downloaded from www.canigetapass.org.uk (external link - opens in a new window)

Pass holders can travel from 9am until 12pm (midnight), Monday to Friday and all day weekends and bank holidays throughout Essex.

Travel times and entitlement in areas outside Essex vary and we suggest you check arrangements before travelling.

Your pass will allow you free off-peak travel anywhere in England during the following times:

• Monday-Friday 9.30am-11pm;
• all day (24hrs) at weekends and bank holidays;
• any time on Transport for London buses.

Colchester residents who are over the state pension age or have a disability that affects their mobility are entitled to claim a bus pass giving free travel 9am to midnight on weekdays and all day at weekends and bank holidays in Essex. Outside of Essex the weekday hours are likely to be 9.30am to 11pm.

All Colchester residents aged over 60 can buy a senior railcard at a reduced rate which gives discounted travel after 10am weekdays and all day at weekends throughout the country. For more details see below.

If you were or will be aged 60 before 5 April 2010, you can request a bus pass at once. However, if you become 60 on or after 6 April 2010, the date on which you can claim is based on rules issued by the government. This is due to changes to dates on which women can claim their retirement pension, currently at their 60 birthday. This is changing over a period of years to age 65, the date on which men receive their pensions. This is called Pension Equalisation. For the purposes of claiming a bus pass, this will apply to both women and men.

This change is happening throughout England. To check when you can apply, please telephone us on 01206 282329.

We can accept applications one month in advance of the date on which you become eligible for a bus pass.

You can claim if you normally live in the Colchester Borough Council area and have a disability that substantially affects your mobility (one of the following):

• A physical disability which makes it difficult for you to walk
• Learning difficulties
• You are deaf or without speech
• Very poor eyesight
• You cannot use your arms because of an injury or illness
• You have had your driving licence refused or taken away because of a disability.

We will need proof of your disability. Please see the application form for details, or contact us.

You can also apply for a free special pass if you regularly need to have help using a bus. This "companion" pass means that any helper travelling with you will travel free. Your doctor will need to confirm that you need this help.  The certificate you will need to get your doctor to sign is available by clicking here. [786kb] This pass will entitle your companion to travel free on any journeys starting in Essex (excluding Southend or Thurrock).  Outside of Essex you can travel for free but your companion must pay.

Application forms for both types of disabled pass are available from your local District or Borough Council or can be downloaded from www.canigetapass.org.uk.

Once you have completed your application form, please return it to Colchester Borough Council:

• In person at the Visitors Information Centre (opposite the Castle and the War Memorial) 1/3 Queen Street, Colchester ( seasonal opening times:
  • 1^st Oct - 31^st March Mon - Sat 10am to 5pm
  • 1^st April - 30^th June Mon - Sat 9.30am to 5pm, Wed 10am to 5pm
  • 1^st July - 31^st Aug Mon - Sat 9.30am to 5.30pm, Wed 10am to 5pm, Sun 11am - 4pm
  • 1^st Sept - 30^th Sept Mon - Sat 9.30 to 5pm, Wed 10am - 5pm
• By post to Resource Management, Colchester Borough Council, 33 Sheepen Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3WG

If you are aged over 60 years:

Please check the date on which you become eligible by telephoning us on 01206 282329.

• A letter from the pension service or other proof of how old you are (such as birth certificate, passport or driving licence photocopies are acceptable if you are posting them)  
• A passport style photograph
• Proof of your address.

If you are a disabled person:

• Proof that you are receiving Disabled Living Allowance at the higher rate OR other proofs as described on the application form.
• A passport style photograph
• Proof of your address

Free bus passes are in a plastic format and will be posted to you within 10 working days of receipt of your application.

Your bus pass will be valid for up to 5 years.

Please check with the bus company that you last used to see if it has been handed in. Otherwise, we can issue a new pass for you at a cost of £10. You will need to send or bring your payment to us or telephone 01206 282329.  This will take 10 days to reach you after we have received your fee.

 Q: Do I need to complete an application form to renew my bus pass?

 A: If you currently hold a bus pass issued by your local District or Borough Council expiring on 31st March 2012 there is no need to contact the Council as your new bus pass will automatically be renewed and sent to you. If you have a disabled persons pass is issued on a short-term basis you will need to re-apply.

Q: I have changed my address within the district since my last bus pass was issued, do I need to notify you?

A: Yes, if you have moved and have not already notified the Council's concessionary Travel Team of a change of address your bus pass may have been sent to your old address. Please contact us for more information on 01206 282329.

Q: I live in the District and I have a bus pass issued by the previous Authority where I lived. Do I need to apply to you for a new bus pass?

A: If your previous address was in Southend, Thurrock or anywhere else in the Country then yes, you must contact us and complete a bus pass application form. You must also contact your previous Authority to advise them to cancel your bus pass. However if you lived anywhere else within Essex there is no need for your bus pass to be replaced as we issue the passes to its residents on behalf of Essex County Council. You must however contact your previous Council to advise them of your change of address for our records.

Q: My partner/ relative/ friend has recently passed away, should I contact the Council and return their bus pass for cancellation?

A: Yes, you should return the bus pass to the Council as soon as possible for cancellation.

Q: I am no longer able to use my bus pass, should I inform the Council that I do not require a renewal?

A: Yes, you should contact the Council and return your bus pass for cancellation as soon as possible.

Q: The name on my current bus pass is incorrect/has changed, what should I do?

A: If your name has been spelt incorrectly or has changed, you must contact the Council to advise of the correct spelling or change of name.

Q: Can I use my current bus pass after it expires?

A: No, however, should there be any delays in dispatching the new bus passes for any reason, Essex County Council will publicise information accordingly.

Q: Are there any changes to the style of the new bus pass?

A: Yes, the new bus pass will be of a different design, but the conditions of use will remain the same.

Q: When will I receive my new bus pass?

A: Your new bus pass will be sent to you within two working weeks.

Q; I have a question that has not been covered, who do I contact?

A: You can call us on 01206 282329.

You can apply for a Senior Railcard at a discounted price of £22.00 instead of the full rate of £28 if you are are aged 60 or over and are a permanent Colchester resident. The railcard will give you a third off travel after 10.00am weekdays and all day at weekends, but check the railcard application form, available from us and any railway station, for details.

You can apply for a railcard

• • In person at the Visitors Information Centre (opposite the Castle and the War Memorial) 1/3 Queen Street, Colchester ( seasonal opening times:
    • 1^st Oct - 31^st March Mon - Sat 10am to 5pm
    • 1^st April - 30^th June Mon - Sat 9.30am to 5pm, Wed 10am to 5pm
    • 1^st July - 31^st Aug Mon - Sat 9.30am to 5.30pm, Wed 10am to 5pm, Sun 11am - 4pm
    • 1^st Sept - 30^th Sept Mon - Sat 9.30 to 5pm, Wed 10am - 5pm
  • In person at Angel Court Customer Service Centre, High Street, Colchester Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm
  • By post to Resource Management, Colchester Borough Council, 33 Sheepen Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3WG

Cheques should be made payable to Colchester Borough Council.

You can contact us by phoning 01206 282329 or by e-mailing us at travel.concessions@colchester.gov.uk Or you can visit us in person at: Customer Service Centre, High Street, Colchester between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday

• Applications will be processed within 3 working days of receipt and evidence returned.
• Free fare bus passes will be issued by post within 10 working days 
• Any queries will be dealt with within 5 working days.

If you wish to read our Equality Impact assessment, please click here.

If you wish to read "Make a change make a difference" - a guide to Resource Management standards and service performance click  here [231kb]

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