Concessionary Travel

Concessionary Travel Scheme 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009

What is available?

English National Concessionary Bus Pass - No charge

The English National bus pass entitles holders to free off-peak travel on local buses anywhere in England. 'Off-peak' is any time between 9.30am - 11pm Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and on public holidays.

In addition to the statutory scheme detailed above, holders of an English National bus pass issued by the Cheshire Districts consortium are entitled to the following concessions:-

On journeys starting or ending in Cheshire, Halton and Warrington
Monday - Friday before 9.30am - Half fare
Monday - Friday between 9.30am - Midnight - Free

The same concessions apply to Dial a Ride services in the eight partner districts of Cheshire, Chester Park and Ride services and journeys on bus services going into Wales, providing the journey starts or ends in Cheshire.

Who can apply?

Persons aged 60 or over who are a permanent resident of the Vale Royal Borough.

The Bus Pass is issued free of charge. You can apply for your bus pass at any of the Council offices and will need to provide proof of age (for example, your Driving Licence or passport) or any document which proves your age and residence in Vale Royal. You will also need a passport size and quality photograph. Alternatively, you may apply by postal application, forms available from any Borough council office or see Concessionary Travel Forms below.
Your bus pass will be posted to you.

Bus Pass for People with Disabilities

Available to people who:

• are blind or partially sighted
• are profoundly or severely deaf
• are without speech
• has a disability or has suffered an injury which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on their ability to walk
• does not have arms or has long term loss of the use of both arms
• has learning disability, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning
• would, if applied for the grant of a licence to drive a motor vehicle under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, have their application refused pursuant to section 92 of the Act (physical fitness) otherwise than on the grounds of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol

The application form should be completed and proof of eligibility provided. The application form should be taken to any of the Council offices or posted to Wyvern House together with a passport sized and quality photograph.

Your bus pass will be posted to you.

Railcards

Issued as an alternative to the English National Bus Pass.

Senior Railcard - £2.50

• entitles the holder to one-third off the fare for most services
• full details can be found in the leaflet 'Senior Railcard' available from railway stations and council offices or at www.senior-railcard.co.uk

Who can apply?

Persons aged 60 or over who are a permanent resident of the Vale Royal Borough. The cost of the Railcard is £2.50.

Frodsham and Winsford Town Councils and Helsby Parish Council have agreed to pay the £2.50 fee for their residents, therefore no fee is required.

You can apply for your railcard at any of the Council offices and will need to provide proof of age and residence (for example driving licence, passport) or any other document which proves your age and residence in Vale Royal. Alternatively, you may apply by postal application, forms available by telephone 01606 867928 or see Concessionary Travel Forms below.

Railcards can also be purchased direct from National Rail - current price £24.00.www.senior-railcard.co.uk

Railcard for People with Disabilities - £2.50

Offers reduced fare on most rail services. Full details can be found in the 'Rail Travel for Disabled Passengers' booklet provided by the Association of Train Operating Companies, available from train stations and Council offices and at www.disabled personsrailcard.co.uk

Who can apply?

Disabled persons who qualify under the terms and conditions contained in the National Rail leaflet, available from all Vale Royal Borough Council Offices or by telephone 01606 867928. Completed application form and proof of eligibility should be returned to Vale Royal Borough Council together with the £2.50 fee.

Frodsham and Winsford Town Councils and Helsby Parish Council have agreed to pay the £2.50 cost for their residents, therefore no fee is required.

Your railcard will be posted to you.

Disabled persons railcard can be purchased direct from the Disabled railcard office. Current price one year card £18. Three year card £48.

Taxi Vouchers

Taxi Vouchers
Issued as an alternative to the English National concessionary bus pass.

• Taxi Vouchers issued to the value of £70
• can be used in full or part payment by the recipient on any journey in a Hackney Carriage or Private Hire vehicle licensed by Vale Royal Borough Council

Who can apply?

Persons with a disability who are unable to use public transport and persons aged 60 or over living in an eligible rural parish (a list of eligible rural parishes is available from the Council). Proof of age and residence within Vale Royal to be provided with completed application. Taxi Vouchers are not available to persons who hold a current UK driving licence and own a motor vehicle. Forms are available from any borough council office or see Concessionary Travel Forms below.

Applicants aged 60 and over will be required to complete an application form and provide proof of age and residence.

Applicants with disabilities will be given a disabled person's application form, part 2 to be completed by the applicant's doctor.

How to apply

• By downloading the application form below
• In person at any of the Council Offices listed below
• By post, telephone 01606 867928 for application form
• Email concessionarytravel@valeroyal.gov.uk.

Download Information and Times

Concessionary Travel Scheme 2008 (links to Cheshire County Council website)

Further Information


Existing Railcard and Taxi Voucher Holders

Existing holders of Railcards and Taxi Vouchers will be notified before the expiry of their current concession.

Replacement Passes

If you have lost your Railcard/Bus Pass you may obtain a replacement by completing a replacement concession form, available from the borough council offices or see the Concessionary Travel Forms above.

Blue Badge Scheme

Blue badges are provided by Cheshire County Council, for further information visit their website Blue Badge Scheme information (links to Cheshire County Council website) or telephone 0845 1131133.

Further Information

Further information and application forms are available at the following Vale Royal Borough Council offices:

• Wyvern House, The Drumber, Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 1AH
  Telephone: 01606 867928
• Castle Park, Frodsham, Cheshire, WA6 6SB
  Telephone: 01928 734440
  Payments by debit/credit card only
• The Information Centre, 1 The Arcade, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 5AS
  Telephone: 01606 353500

Last modified: 14 November 2008