Travel Passes For older people and people who have a disability
Contents Introduction Passes for older people How to apply for your first Merseytravel Local Travel Pass How to apply for your first Merseytravel National Travel Pass Ready reckoner Passes for people with disabilities Page 3 4 5 9 12 15 Category A Category B Category C Category D Category E Category F Category G1 Category G2 - Blind or partially sighted - Profoundly or severely deaf - Without speech - Disability or injury which has a substantial effect on your ability to walk - Does not have arms or has long-term loss of the use of both arms - Learning disability - Would be refused a licence to drive a motor vehicle because of medical fitness - Would be refused a licence to drive a motor vehicle because of severe mental disorder 16 16 16 16 16 20 21 22 Other services for people with a disability 24 What to do: - if you change your name or address - if you lose your pass - if your pass is damaged - if your pass is stolen 24 25 25 26 Merseytravel Centre addresses 26 2
Introduction We offer free travel on buses, trains and Mersey Ferries if you live in Merseyside and: you are aged 60 or over; or you have certain disabilities. This booklet gives details of our scheme and how to apply. If you are not sure if you are entitled to a travel pass or you have any other questions, please contact us. Concessions Customer Delivery Team Merseytravel, PO Box 1976 Liverpool, L69 3HN Phone: 0151 236 6056 email: concession@merseytravel.gov.uk Website: www.merseytravel.gov.uk Your personal data will be used by Merseytravel and other government and partner agencies to administer the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme in accordance with UK data protection legislation. Any information held will not ordinarily be disclosed to third parties that do not form part of the administration of the scheme. At our discretion, we may disclose personal data in response to valid requests from the police and other law enforcement bodies which includes partner and government agencies. This is permitted by the Data Protection Act 1998. We may also disclose personal data if required to do so by law. 3
Passes for older people We still offer free local travel on buses, trains and Mersey Ferries within Merseyside to everyone aged 60 and over living in Merseyside. The Government has announced that the age at which you become eligible for a free National Travel Pass will increase gradually over the next few years and you will no longer receive your pass on your 60th birthday. So if you live in Merseyside you can have a Merseytravel Local Travel Pass from your 60th birthday. We will replace your local pass with a national pass once you become eligible (see pages 13 14 to find out when that will be). We will also write to you when your National Travel Pass needs to be renewed. 4
Passes for older people How to apply for your First Merseytravel Local Travel Pass Where to go You can apply at: any post office in Merseyside during their normal opening hours; or a Merseytravel Centre (see pages 26 and 27 for addresses). When to go You can apply for a Merseytravel Local Travel Pass up to three months before your 60th birthday but we will not send it to you until you are 60. If you would like to receive your pass in time for your 60th birthday, please apply at least two weeks before the date of your 60th birthday. When you become eligible for a Merseytravel National Travel Pass we will send it to you automatically. You do not have to apply again but please make sure you let us know if you have changed your address or there may be a delay in receiving your pass. If you want to know when you will receive your National Travel Pass, please check the ready reckoner on pages 13 14. 5
Passes for older people How to apply for your first Merseytravel Local Travel Pass (continued) What to take A suitable passport-sized colour photograph of yourself, which must have been taken within the last 12 months. Please make sure you write your name and date of birth clearly on the back of your photograph. Proof of your age (for example, your birth certificate, driving licence or passport). Proof that your address is in Merseyside (for example, a recent council tax bill, gas, electricity or water bill, driving licence, bank or building society statement, official tenancy agreement or letter from the Department for Work and Pensions). What to do Fill in the application form. The post office will check your application and send it to us with your photograph. The Merseytravel Centre will check your details and issue your Local Travel Pass if you are eligible. Your Merseytravel Local Travel Pass will be valid until you become eligible for a Merseytravel National Travel Pass. 6
Where can I use the Merseytravel Local Travel Pass? On most buses in Merseyside. You cannot use it on buses outside Merseyside. On the Merseyrail network as far as Chester, Ellesmere Port and Ormskirk. On the Mersey Ferries (not River Explorer or Special Cruises). When can I use my Merseytravel Local Travel Pass? All day on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays. Any time Monday to Friday, except for journeys which start between 6.31am and 9.29am. How do I use my Merseytravel Local Travel Pass? If the bus or rail gate has a card reader, place your pass on the card reader or show your pass every time you make a journey. 7
Passes for older people Where you can use your Merseytravel Local Travel Pass You can use your Merseytravel Local Travel Pass for older people on most buses, trains and Mersey Ferries in Merseyside only. (For trains, you can use your Merseytravel Local Travel Pass as far as Ormskirk, Chester and Ellesmere Port only.) 8
Passes for older people How to apply for your first Merseytravel National Travel Pass If you already have a Merseytravel Local Travel Pass you do not have to reapply. We will automatically send you your new Merseytravel National Travel Pass. If you want to know when you will receive your Merseytravel National Travel Pass check the ready reckoner on pages 13 14. Make sure that you have told us if you have changed your name and address. If you do not already have a Merseytravel Local Travel Pass but have reached the age at which you are eligible for a Merseytravel National Travel Pass (check the ready reckoner on pages 13 14), follow the procedure below. Where to go Any post office in Merseyside during their normal opening hours. A Merseytravel Centre (see pages 26 and 27 for addresses). When to go You can apply for a Merseytravel National Travel Pass up to three months before you become eligible. If you want to know when this will be, please check the ready reckoner on pages 13 14. 9
What to take A suitable passport-sized colour photograph of yourself, which must have been taken within the last 12 months. Please make sure you write your name clearly on the back of your photograph. Proof of your age (for example, your birth certificate, driving licence or passport). Proof that your address is in Merseyside (for example, a recent council tax bill, gas, electricity or water bill, driving licence, bank or building society statement, official tenancy agreement or letter from the Department for Work and Pensions). What to do Fill in the application form. The post office or Merseytravel Centre will check your application and send it to us with your photograph. We will post your Merseytravel National Pass to the address you have put on your form. Please note that we cannot issue your Merseytravel National Pass on the same day that you apply. We will check your application and then post your pass to you. Where and when can I use my Merseytravel National Travel Pass for older people? You can use your pass on local bus services, local train services (as far as Ormskirk, Chester and Ellesmere Port) and ferry services in Merseyside at the following times. Any time Mondays to Friday, except journeys starting between 6.31am and 9.29am. All day Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays. 10
You can also use your pass on local buses anywhere in England at the following times. Mondays to Fridays 9.30am to 11pm. Any time Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays. In the rest of England you can travel on Local buses only on Monday to Fridays from 9.30am to 11pm and anytime on Saturdays Sundays and Bank Holidays. England 11
How do I use my Merseytravel National Travel Pass for older people? If the bus or rail gate has a card reader, place your pass on the card reader or show your pass every time you make a journey. Ready Reckoner Changes to the age you become eligible for a National Concessionary Travel Pass Since 6 April 2010 the age at which you become eligible for a National Travel Pass increased and is now no longer on your 60th birthday. Please check the following pages to find out when you become eligible for free travel. If your 60th birthday is between 6 October 2014 and 5 April 2028 you will become eligible on your 66th birthday. You may apply for your pass up to three months before that date but we will not send your pass to you until the date you become eligible. If you are aged 60 or over and live in Merseyside but are not yet eligible for a National Travel Pass you can apply for a Local Travel Pass. See page 5 for details. There is also an electronic ready reckoner at: www.gov.uk/calculate-state-pension. This will tell you when you reach State Pension age, and the date from which you will qualify for a National Travel Pass (elderly person s bus pass). 12
If you were born in 1951 and your birthday is between If you were born in 1952 and your birthday is between you will become eligible on 1 January 1951 and 5 January 1951 6 September 2011 6 January 1951 and 5 February 1951 6 November 2011 6 February 1951 and 5 March 1951 6 January 2012 6 March 1951 and 5 April 1951 6 March 2012 6 April 1951 and 5 May 1951 6 May 2012 6 May 1951 and 5 June 1951 6 July 2012 6 June 1951 and 5 July 1951 6 September 2012 6 July 1951 and 5 August 1951 6 November 2012 6 August 1951 and 5 September 1951 6 January 2013 6 September 1951 and 5 October 1951 6 March 2013 6 October 1951 and 5 November 1951 6 May 2013 6 November 1951 and 5 December 1951 6 July 2013 6 December 1951 and 31 December 1951 6 September 2013 you will become eligible on 1 January 1952 and 5 January 1952 6 September 2013 6 January 1952 and 5 February 1952 6 November 2013 6 February 1952 and 5 March 1952 6 January 2014 6 March 1952 and 5 April 1952 6 March 2014 6 April 1952 and 5 May 1952 6 May 2014 6 May 1952 and 5 June 1952 6 July 2014 6 June 1952 and 5 July 1952 6 September 2014 6 July 1952 and 5 August 1952 6 November 2014 6 August 1952 and 5 September 1952 6 January 2015 6 September 1952 and 5 October 1952 6 March 2015 6 October 1952 and 5 November 1952 6 May 2015 6 November 1952 and 5 December 1952 6 July 2015 6 December 1952 and 31 December 1952 6 September 2015 13
If you were born in 1953 and your birthday is between you will become eligible on 1 January 1953 and 5 January 1953 6 September 2015 6 January 1953 and 5 February 1953 6 November 2015 6 February 1953 and 5 March 1953 6 January 2016 6 March 1953 and 5 April 1953 6 March 2016 6 April 1953 and 5 May 1953 6 July 2016 6 May 1953 and 5 June 1953 6 November 2016 6 June 1953 and 5 July 1953 6 March 2017 6 July 1953 and 5 August 1953 6 July 2017 6 August 1953 and 5 September 1953 6 November 2017 6 September 1953 and 5 October 1953 6 March 2018 6 October 1953 and 5 November 1953 6 July 2018 6 November 1953 and 5 December 1953 6 November 2018 6 December 1953 and 31 December 1953 6 March 2019 If you were born in 1954 and your birthday is between you will become eligible on 1 January 1954 and 5 January 1954 6 March 2019 6 January 1954 and 5 February 1954 6 May 2019 6 February 1954 and 5 March 1954 6 July 2019 6 March 1954 and 5 April 1954 6 September 2019 6 April 1954 and 5 May 1954 6 November 2019 6 May 1954 and 5 June 1954 6 January 2020 6 June 1954 and 5 July 1954 6 March 2020 6 July 1954 and 5 August 1954 6 May 2020 6 August 1954 and 5 September 1954 6 July 2020 6 September 1954 and 5 October 1954 6 September 2020 If you were born between 6 October 1954 and 5 April 1968, you will become eligible on your 66th birthday. 14
Passes for people with disabilities You may qualify for a Merseytravel National Travel Pass if you meet the conditions of any of the seven categories of disability defined in the Transport Act 2000. The seven categories of disability are listed on page 2 and the disability must be long-lasting (expected to last at least 12 months) or permanent. Where can I use a pass? On local buses anywhere in England. On most buses, trains and Mersey Ferries in Merseyside. On trains beyond the Merseyside boundary as far as Chester, Ellesmere Port and Ormskirk. When can I use a pass? All day, every day within Merseyside. You can use the pass on local buses anywhere in England at the following times. Mondays to Fridays 9.30am to 11pm. Any time Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays. How do I use a pass? If the bus or rail gate has a card reader, place your pass on the card reader or show your pass every time you make a journey. 15
Category A Blind or partially sighted Category B Profoundly or severely deaf Category C Without speech Category D Disability or injury which has a substantial effect on your ability to walk Category E Does not have arms or has long-term loss of the use of both arms If you have any of the disabilities listed above, please follow the procedure below to apply for your first disabled person's travel pass. What to do You will need to get an application form. You can pick up a form from any Merseytravel Centre (the addresses are on pages 26 and 27); or You can contact the Concessions Customer Delivery Team (the contact details are on page 27) and we will post a form to you; or You can download a form from www.merseytravel.gov.uk/tickets/concessions 16
Where to go A Merseytravel Centre (see pages 26 and 27 for addresses and opening times). Pease fill in all of the application form and provide any supporting information which gives details of your disability (as set out in the table on page 18 and 19). Either send your application form to us or take it to a Merseytravel Centre, together with the information to support your application If you do not have any of the documents listed on page 18 and 19, you will need to complete a different, more detailed application form. Please contact the Concessions Customer Delivery Team (the contact details are on page 27) and we will post a form to you. If we approve your application, we will write to you or email you giving you details of how to get your pass. We may write to you and ask for more details about your disability. 17
Proof that you are eligible (a) If you are blind or partially sighted, please send us one of following: a copy of your certificate of visual impairment (CVI); or a copy of your registration card issued by the visual impairment team or confirmation of your registration on letter headed paper; or a copy of a letter from an eye specialist (for example an optometrist) confirming that you would qualify to be registered as blind or partially sighted. (b) If you are profoundly or severely deaf, please send us one of the following: confirmation that you are registered with your local authority social services department as being profoundly or severely deaf; or a copy of an audiological report stating your hearing levels or confirmation from an audiologist specialist confirming that you are profoundly or severely deaf in your better ear with an average of the key speech frequencies (0.5, 1, 2 and 4 khz) being at 70 db or greater. (c) If you are without speech, please send us one of the following: a copy of a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) confirming you receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP) at an enhanced rate with a score of at least eight points for the communicating verbally activity; or 18
a copy of medical evidence (signed, dated and on letter headed paper) confirming that you are without speech. Note: speech which is slow or difficult to understand due to an accent or a stammer would not qualify. (d) If you have a disability or have suffered an injury which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on your ability to walk, please send us one of the following: a copy of a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) confirming that you receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA); or a copy of a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) confirming that you receive Personal Independence Payment(PIP) at an enhanced rate with a score of at least eight points for the Moving around activity; or a copy of a letter from the Service Personnel & Veterans Agency (SPVA) confirming that you receive War Pensions Mobility Supplement (WPMS); or if you have been issued with a Disabilities Persons Parking (Blue Badge) in your name, please send us a copy of the Blue Badge. (e) If you do not have arms or you have long-term loss of the use of both of your arms, please send us: a copy of a letter (signed, dated and on letter headed paper) from your doctor (General Practitioner (GP)) or medical specialist to confirm that you do not have arms or you have long-term loss of the use of both arms. 19
Category F Learning disability To apply for your first disabled person s travel pass if you have a learning disability, please follow the procedure below. What to do You will need to get an application form. You can pick up a form from any Merseytravel Centre (the addresses are on pages 26 and 27); You can contact the Concessions Customer Delivery team (the contact details are on page 27); You can download a form from www.merseytravel.gov.uk/tickets/concessions Please fill in all of the application form and provide any supporting information which gives details of your disability (as set out in Section 1 of the application form). Take your application form, together with any supporting information, to your GP or other specialist, as shown in the What to do next section of the application form. If there are any charges in connection with your application, you will have to pay these. If we approve your application, we will write to you or email you giving you details of how to get your pass. If we need more details, we may write to you and ask you to attend an independent assessment. 20
Category G1 Would be refused a licence to drive a motor vehicle because of medical fitness Important notes We do not decide whether you may hold a driving licence this is the responsibility of the DVLA. You must be aged 16 or over to apply for a travel pass in this category. You will not be eligible if you would be refused a licence to drive solely on the basis of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol. There are a number of conditions which may make you eligible for a pass. These include: (a) epilepsy (unless it is a type of epilepsy which does not pose a danger if you drive); (b) sudden attacks of dizziness or fainting; (c) established pre-senile dementia conditions (including Alzheimer s); and (d) any other disability which would cause you to be a danger to yourself or others when driving. 21
How to apply for your disabled person s travel pass if you would be refused a licence to drive a motor vehicle because of medical fitness What to do You will need to get an application form. You can pick up a form from any Merseytravel Centre (the addresses are on pages 26 and 27); or You can contact the Concessions Customer Delivery Team (the contact details are on page 27) and we will post a form to you; or You can download a form from www.merseytravel.gov.uk/tickets/concessions Take your filled-in application form to your GP, who must confirm that you have the condition or disability you have stated on the application form. If there are any charges in connection with your application, you will have to pay these. If we approve your application, we will write to you or email you giving you details of how to get your pass. We may write to you and ask you for more details about your medical condition. Category G2 Would be refused a licence to drive a motor vehicle because of a severe mental disorder Important notes We do not decide whether you may hold a driving licence this is the responsibility of the DVLA. 22
You must be aged 16 or over to apply for a travel pass in this category. You will not be eligible if your condition is due to the persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol. To apply for a disabled person s travel pass if you would be refused a licence to drive a motor vehicle because of a severe mental disorder, please follow the procedure below. What to do You will need to get an application form. You can pick up a form from any Merseytravel Centre (the addresses are on pages 26 and 27); or You can contact the Concessions Customer Delivery Team (the contact details are on page 27) and we will post a form to you; or You can download a form from www.merseytravel.gov.uk/tickets/concessions Take your filled-in application form to your consultant or GP who will provide the information we need about your condition. Your consultant or GP must fill in and stamp section three of the form before we can deal with your application. Ask them to return the filled-in form to the Concessions Customer Delivery Team (the address is on page 27). If there are any charges in connection with your application, you will have to pay these. We will write to you or email you to let you know whether you are eligible for a travel pass and how to get your pass. 23
Other services for people with a disability Merseylink is a dial-a-ride service for people who are unable to use regular public transport. For more information phone Merseylink on 0151 330 1661. You might be entitled to Tunnel concessions for free journeys through Mersey Tunnels. For more information contact Mersey Tunnels on 0151 330 1702. If you need it, we can give you information about travel passes in other languages or in other formats (such as in large print, in Braille or on audio CD). Ring Concession Customer Delivery Team on 0151 236 6056. If you change your name or address If you change your address, you must take or send proof that your new address is in Merseyside to a Merseytravel Centre by providing one of the following: a recent council tax bill, gas, electricity or water bill, driving licence, bank or building society statement, official tenancy agreement or letter from the Department for Work and Pensions. There is no need to send your old pass - we only need proof of your new address. Or you can send proof of your new address in writing to the Concessions Customer Delivery Team (the address is on page 27). The proof of your new address should be one of the following: a recent council tax bill, gas, electricity or water bill, driving licence, bank or building society statement, official tenancy agreement or letter from the Department for Work and Pensions. 24
Please send photocopies, not the original documents. Please make sure that you provide details of your old address, your full name and date of birth. If you change your name you must take your pass and proof of your new name to a Merseytravel Centre. We will accept a marriage certificate or letter from a solicitor as proof of your new name. If you prefer, you can let us know about a change in your name or address by posting your pass and the proof that you need to show us direct to the Concessions Customer Delivery Team (the address is on page 27). Please send photocopies, not the original documents. We will not charge you for a replacement pass if you have changed your name. If you lose your pass Let us know immediately by calling us on 0151 236 6056 (between 8am and 8pm everyday except Christmas Day) or visiting one of our Merseytravel Centres (see the addresses on pages 26 and 27). We will charge you to replace a lost pass. We will post your replacement pass to the address we have on file. Your pass should arrive within five to seven working days. If your pass is damaged Let us know immediately by calling us on 0151 236 6056 (between 8am and 8pm everyday except Christmas Day) or visiting one of our Merseytravel Centres (see the addresses on pages 26 and 27). We will charge you to replace a damaged pass. 25
If your pass is stolen Let us know immediately by calling us on 0151 236 6056 (between 8am and 8pm everyday except Christmas Day) or visiting one of our Merseytravel Centres (see the addresses on pages 26 and 27). We will not charge you to replace a stolen pass if you have a police crime reference number. We will post your replacement pass to the address we have on file. Your pass should arrive within five to seven working days. Merseytravel Centres Birkenhead Travel Centre Birkenhead Bus Station Claughton Road Birkenhead CH41 6RT Bootle Travel Centre Bootle Bus Station Washington Parade Bootle L20 4RE Huyton Travel Centre Huyton Bus Station Huyton Hey Road Huyton L36 5SB Liverpool ONE Bus Station 1 Canning Place Liverpool L1 8LB 26
Queen Square Travel Centre Queen Square, Liverpool L1 1RG St Helens Travel Centre St Helens Bus Station Bickerstaff Street, St Helens WA10 1DH For postal and telephone enquiries only: Concessions Customer Delivery Team Merseytravel PO Box 1976 Liverpool L69 3HN Phone: 0151 236 6056 Minicom: 0151 330 1270 You can contact the team by phone between 8.30am and 5pm Monday to Friday. Please check our website for opening times www.merseytravel.gov.uk/travelcentres 27
If you are not sure if you are entitled to a travel pass or if you have any other questions, please contact: Merseytravel PO Box 1976 Liverpool L69 3HN Phone: 0151 236 6056 email: concession@merseytravel.gov.uk We can provide this information in other formats and languages if you ask. LS346 SEP 14