Concessionary travel - frequently asked questions

Q:  Where can I get an application form?

A: It can be downloaded from:-

http://www3.hants.gov.uk/concessionary-travel.htm

or ring 0845 045 8355 to request a copy.  Or you can collect a form from your local district council.offices

Q:  How soon can I apply for an older person's bus pass?

A: Your eligibility for an older person’s bus pass is now based upon the pensionable age of a woman.  To find out when you will be eligible, please follow the link below to the pension website.  You will need to enter your date of birth and state that you are female, even if you are male.  This will then provide you with your pensionable age ‘as a woman’.  This is the age you are eligible for an older person’s bus pass.  Please remember to state you are female (even if you are male).

Pension Website

Please note that you are no longer eligible from your 60th birthday

Once you have the correct date then you can apply up to 2 months prior to reaching your eligible date,  Your pass will be sent to you shortly before your travel concession begins.  

Q:  I have applied for a concession but I haven’t received it.

A: If your application is completed correctly with the correct accompanying evidence it will be processed and with you within 15 working days.  If however evidence is missing or the form is not  completed correctly this will delay your application.

Q:  How do I know if I have an older persons pass or a disabled person’s pass or a companion pass?

A: If you have a blue stripe on the right hand side of the pass it is an older person’s pass. If it has an orange stripe on the right hand  side it is a disabled person’s pass.  If the pass is a companion pass this will have an orange stripe with a  C in the right hand corner with a plus sign.

Q:  When can I use my older person’s pass?

A: You can travel free  from 09.00am to 11.00pm Monday to Friday and all day weekends and public holidays on journeys which start in Hampshire regardless of where you are travelling to.  However this  excludes Southampton and Portsmouth who issue their own concessions.

For journeys starting outside of Hampshire which includes Southampton and Portsmouth you can travel for free only after 09.30 Monday – Friday and all day at weekends and  bank holidays.

Q:  When can I use my disabled person’s bus pass?

A: Your pass can be used for free all day  travel on journeys which start in Hampshire (excludes Portsmouth and Southampton), regardless of where you are travelling to.   

For journeys starting outside of Hampshire including Southampton and Portsmouth you can travel for free only after 09.30 Monday – Friday and all day at weekends and  bank holidays.

Q:  When can I use my companion pass?

A: You can use your companion pass all day every day  in Hampshire (excluding Southampton and Portsmouth).  Pass holders can travel with or without a companion under the terms of the disabled person’s bus pass.  Companions however can only get free travel when they accompany the pass holder.   For children a companion pass will only be issued only on the basis of disability and not age.

Companion passes are an enhancement to the national travel scheme and it is unlikely that companions will be allowed to travel free on journeys starting outside of Hampshire (including Southampton and Hampshire). Please check with the relevant authority in the area to which you intend to travel.  However the pass holder will be able to use the pass outside of Hampshire under the disabled pass conditions after 09.30.

Q:  Why do different conditions apply in Southampton and Portsmouth?

A: The national standard is that both disabled and older person bus passes must be valid for free travel after 09.30 and before 23.00 Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and bank holidays.  Hampshire County Council have decided to enhance this for their residents by funding free travel all day every day for both disabled and companion pass holders and have extended the start of the day from 09.30 to 09.00 for older persons passes.  Southampton and Portsmouth are unitary authorities and are not part of Hampshire County Council so the national standard applies.  

Q:  What do I need to do to get a companion pass?

A: Complete a new application form and provide a letter from a healthcare professional e.g. physiotherapist, podiatrist, nurse etc. confirming that you are unable to travel alone for medical reasons.

Q:  When travelling with a Companion pass, is there an upper or lower age limit for the companion?

A: There is no age limit. The suitability of the companion is entirely at the discretion and responsibility of the companion pass holder.  However you can only have one companion travelling free of charge with you.

Q:  Can I have a bus pass and vouchers?

A: No, applicants will only be allowed one form of concession.

Q: Do you know which taxi operators and voluntary care groups are going to accept the vouchers?

A: We do have a list of taxi operators who will accept these, but this is not a comprehensive list and only includes those operators who have informed us of their participation of the scheme. We will also add voluntary care groups to this list, if they let us know that they will accept these.  

We advise customers to always check with their operators or voluntary care groups that they will accept Hampshire County Council Travel Vouchers before travelling.

Q:  My pass cannot be read by the ticket machines

A: You need to contact the Concessionary Fares Team on 0845 045 8355

Q:  Will I be able to enjoy free travel everywhere within the UK?

A: No, the concession will only apply to journeys within England.

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 you intend to travel.

Q:  Will I be entitled to use my pass in London?

A: Yes, but you can only use your pass on local off-peak buses. You will not be entitled to use your bus pass for travel on the tube.

Q:  What do I do if I lose my bus pass?

A: If you lose or damage your bus pass, we can replace it at a cost of £10.

Please apply in writing with your name, address and date of birth enclosing a £10 payment made payable to Hampshire County Council to the Concessionary Fares Team, Passenger Transport Group, Elizabeth II Court, The Castle, Winchester, SO23 8UD. A photo is not required however you can submit a new one if you want to.

We will not charge this fee if the pass has been stolen, provided you have told the police and have received an official crime number for the incident.

Q:  How do I renew my pass or vouchers?

A: We will renew your pass automatically for up to five years.

If you apply for vouchers and are eligible, we will renew these automatically... If you move your new details need to be updated on the Hampshire County Council database for all future renewals.

Q:  Can I transfer my details and bus pass if I move from a different county to Hampshire?

A: There isn't any provision for transferring a persons details and bus pass from one county to another. You will have to make a fresh application on moving to Hampshire. However you can continue to use your bus pass within Hampshire (until it's expiry date) after 9.30am and before 23.00 weekdays and any time weekends and bank holidays.  It would be advantageous to apply for a Hampshire pass as it would then allow you to travel after 9.00 am on weekdays.

Q.  Will Hampshire County Council be providing help with railcards under the new concessionary fares scheme?

A: Railcards are no longer a concession issued with this scheme.  You can however still purchase railcards from railway stations.

Q:  If I wish to transfer between concessions if my circumstances change?

A: Yes. For example, if you currently have an older persons pass and wish to change it to a disabled pass you will need to complete a new application form and send it to us with your existing pass.

Q:  What do I do if I move house?

A: Please notify Hampshire County Council otherwise when your concession needs renewing it will go to the wrong address.  You can do this by e.mail, letter or phone.

email: concessionary.fares@hants.gov.uk

or telephone 0845 045 8355

or write to:-

Concessionary Travel Team

Hampshire County Council

The Castle  Winchester  SO23 8UD