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You are here: Home > Transport and Streets > Bus travel > Free bus passes

Free bus passes

This section tells you about free bus passes

New scheme 1 April 2008

From 1 April 2008 if you are 60 or over or eligible disabled and live in England you are entitled to free off peak local bus travel anywhere in England.

All existing pass holders and new applicants will need a new pass. There are three types of pass available under the scheme:

1. a pass for people who are 60 and over
2. a pass for eligible disabled people. This includes children aged 5 or more and who have eligible disabilities
3. a pass for someone 60 or more or who has eligible disabilities and who finds it impossible to travel on their own. This is called a 'companion pass'.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Reigate and Banstead bus pass, applicants must live in the Borough of Reigate and Banstead. If you live in another Borough or District you  will need to apply in the Borough or District where you live. You must also be 60 or more or have an eligible disability.

How to apply

All applicants need to complete an application form and provide:

• evidence of residency in the Borough such as a utility bill or council tax demand
• evidence of age such as a birth certificate or eligible disability (see disabled applicants)
• a passport sized photo:
  • the background must be clear and no hats or scarves or other headgear should be worn
  • you must be looking straight at the camera
  • the photo must be a close up of your head and shoulders with your eyes open and visible
  • if you wear glasses, these may be worn (not tinted or dark)
  • nothing should cover the outline of your eyes, nose or mouth
  • the photo should be a good likeness of you.

When your application has been checked your bus pass will be posted to you by the Council's card management company. This will normally be within a few days.

Existing passholders

Existing passholders who have reapplied for a bus pass before March 2008 will receive their new pass in March 2008. Your old bus pass must be returned to the council on or after the 1 April. Passes can be returned via Help Shops.

Disabled applicants

Disabled applicants must have a qualifying disability and provide proof of eligibility. You must have one of the disabilities listed below:

• suffering from a permanent disability or injury affecting your ability to walk
• profoundly or severely deaf
• without speech
• blind or partially sighted
• without use of both arms.
• a learning disability as defined in the Transport Act 2000.

The definition is "has a learning disability, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning".

• refusal or likely refusal on medical grounds of a Driving Licence (other than through misuse of drugs or alcohol).

Guidance on the above is available on Guidance to local authorities on eligibility for disabled people (Department for Transport website). If you qualify under any of these disabilities (other than blind or partially sighted) you need to register your disability. 

Blind and partially sighted registration

If you are blind or partially sighted you need to show us your registration card or letter. If you are blind or partially sighted and are not registered contact Surrey Association for Visual Impairment (SAVI) on 01372 377701.

Children's disability registration - age 5 or more and under 18

Contact the Surrey Children's Disability Register on 020 8541 8792.

Adult disability registration - 18 and over

Contact:

Surrey Adult Linked Disability Register
Surrey County Council Contact Centre
Freepost: SALDR (no stamp needed)
Telephone: 020 8541 8570 or 020 8541 8572
Fax: 020 8541 8552
Email: Saldr@surreycc.gov.uk
Website: Surrey Adult Linked Disability Registers (website opens in new window)

Companion passes

If you find it impossible to travel on your own through disability or age you can apply for a companion pass. If you think you may qualify please contact your Social Care Team. If you do qualify for a companion pass they will give you a letter confirming your need for assistance.

The companion pass can be used on all services within the Surrey area. Travel outside of Surrey is at the discretion of the relevant local authority.

What to do next

If you are eligible for a bus pass and have gathered together the necessary evidence, please visit one of the Council's Help Shops.

• Banstead Help Shop, The Horseshoe, Banstead; 10.00am-4.30pm
• Horley Help Shop, 4 Victoria Square, Consort Way, Horley; 9.30am-4.30pm
• Redhill Help Shop, 26-28 Cromwell Road, Redhill; 10.00am-4.30pm
• Preston Help Shop Surgery, Neighbourhood Shop; 71 Marbles Way; Tadworth; 9.00am-12.00pm
• Reigate Customer Services, Townhall; Castlefield Road; Reigate; Surrey; 8.45am-5.00pm (4.45pm Friday)
• Merstham Help Shop, Portland Drive, Merstham 9.00am-12.00pm.

You can also apply for a bus pass by post but any important documents such as birth certificates should not be sent by post. You can post your application form with the necessary evidence and a passport sized photograph to the address below. The photograph should be glued to the form in the space provided. Do not use sellotape or staples over the photograph.

Concessionary Fares Team
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council
Town Hall
Castlefield Road
Reigate
Surrey RH2 0SH

Downloads:

These forms must be used for all applications to the scheme. The forms must be downloaded onto A4 paper without any font changes. 

You must download and complete both attachments to allow us to process your bus pass:

•  Bus Pass Application (Word, opens in new window) (138.0kB)

•  Photo Application (PDF, opens in new window) (44.3kB)

Normally you should receive your pass within a few days. However provision of bus passes is a demand led service. At times of peak demand you may have to wait a while for your bus pass. After April 2008, the Council's Helpline on 01737 276000 will be able to advise you on the current approximate length of waiting time.

When can you travel?

You can use your bus pass to travel anywhere in England after 9:30am Mondays to Fridays and at any time on weekends or public holidays. The pass is not valid for journeys which start after 11pm. If you are travelling in Reigate & Banstead you can use your bus pass from 9am if 60 or more and anytime if disabled.

Your can use your bus pass on any local bus service in England. If you have a companion pass your companion will usually only be able to travel free in Surrey.

You cannot use your passes on:

• Express coach services
• Special services
• Train, tube or rail services
• Services in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
• Services which the Department of Transport may add to this list.

Need bus timetable information?

Surrey County Council produce free Bus Guides to help plan your journeys. These are available form libraries, council offices and bus enquiry offices or by contacting Surrey County Council on 08456 009 009.

Timetable information is also available on Buses (Surrey County Council website).

For travel beyond Surrey contact Traveline on 0871 200 2233. Calls from landlines cost 10p per minute plus a 6p set up charge. Alternatively see Traveline (external website).

Lost, stolen and damaged passes

Your initial bus pass is free. If you lose or damage your pass or it is stolen it can be replaced however, there will be a charge if you have more than one replacement.

Change of circumstances

If you no longer require the pass your must return the pass. You must specifically tell the Concessionary Fares Team of any changes to your name or address. Customer Service staff at Help Shops and the Town Hall can do this for you. Please do not report changes about your bus pass to any other department or service of the Council.

Data protection

For information about the Data Protection Act 1998 and Council uses data, contact us on 01737 276000.

For more information about The Audit Commission and how your personal details could be used please see the Fair Processing Notice page or call 01737 276497 and ask for the Head of Revenues and Benefits.

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