Q. I am unable to travel on buses without assistance. Can I have a pass for a companion?
A. If you are so severely disabled that you require assistance to travel on buses you may be entitled to a companion bus pass. Please contact the Concessionary Fares Team for details of qualifying criteria.
Q. I have a hospital appointment in Southampton before 9.30am. This will involve changing buses once I get to Southampton. Will I have to pay from Southampton to the Hospital?
A. Unfortunately if you are boarding a bus outside the Borough of Eastleigh before 9.30am you will have to pay the full fare. However, residents should note that the ‘choose and book’ service is now available which allows patients to book hospital appointments at their convenience so they could be arranged for after 9.30am. The telephone number for this service is 0845 608 888. Alternatively visit www.nhs.uk/healthspace
Q. How long will it take to receive my bus pass?
A. Your application will usually be processed on the same day that we receive it and you can expect to receive it in the post within 7 days as your pass is not printed at these offices but issued via our printing bureau.
Q. What happens if I move out of the area?
A. If you move outside the Borough of Eastleigh you should immediately return your bus pass to the address below. You can apply for a new pass with your new local Council.
For an application form or further information regarding the national bus pass or the Council’s Concessionary Fares scheme please contact us at the address below.
Alternatively, you may download an application form from our website.
CONTACT DETAILS
Revenue & Benefits Unit
Eastleigh Borough Council
Civic Offices
Leigh Road
Eastleigh
Hampshire
SO50 9YN
Telephone: 023 8068 8048
Email:
Visit: www.eastleigh.gov.uk
This information can be provided in alternative formats including large print, audio tape, Braille and other languages by calling 023 8068 8000, email or text 07797 877001.
CONCESSIONARY FARES
BUS PASS
EXPLAINED
From 1 April 2008 if you are 60 or over or registered disabled under certain categories you will be entitled to a national bus pass which entitles you to free travel on buses throughout England.
The qualifying criteria are detailed below:
You must be a permanent resident in the Borough of Eastleigh and:
· Aged 60 or over or
· Aged 5 or over and disabled under one of the following categories:
a. blind or partially sighted
b. profoundly or severely deaf
c. without speech
d. has a disability which has a substantial and long term affect on your ability to walk
e. without arms or the long term use of both arms
f. severe learning disability, or
· would have or has been refused a driving licence under Section 92 of Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988
This leaflet aims to answer some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the national scheme.
Q. What does the national bus pass entitle me to?
A. The national bus concession will enable eligible users to get free off peak travel on local buses anywhere in England. Eastleigh Borough Council have provided an enhancement to this scheme allowing eligible residents to travel free of charge at any time of the day provided the journey is continuous and starts within the Borough.
Q. If I visit an area that offers additional services, will I be entitled to them?
A. Probably not. As a general rule, local authorities will only provide additional services for their own residents. Some authorities however, may provide them – check with the relevant authority in the area in which you intend to travel.
Q. What exactly is off peak travel?
A. Off peak hours are 9.30am until 11pm Monday – Friday, and all day weekends and bank holidays.
Q. Will I be able to enjoy free travel anywhere in the UK?
A. No, the concession will only apply within England.
Q. Can I use the bus pass on coaches?
A. No, the pass can only be used on buses. However, Eastleigh Borough Council have made a further enhancement to the scheme to allow registered users to use the bus pass on four services operated by One Community. This includes Dial a Ride, Dial a Ride shopping trips, Hedge End Park Mini Bus Service, and Parish Link.
Q. Up to what date is the pass valid?
A. The national pass will expire on
31 March 2011.
Q. What happens if I want to switch to another concession before the expiry date?
A. If you are aged 60 or over and decide you no longer wish to have a bus pass you may change to another concession but only on or after the first anniversary of the pass, ie.
1 April 2009. Please contact the Concessionary Fares Team at the Council on 023 8068 8048 for further details. A list of alternative concessions is given below:-
Aged 60 and over - National Bus Pass or
Senior Citizens Railcard
Disabled Applicants (Aged 5 years and over) - National Bus Pass
Housebound Residents (Under 75 years) - TV Licence Concession