Bus Pass Terms and Conditions
The local authorities in Kent, together with Medway Council, work together to provide the Concessionary Travel Scheme for Kent and Medway.
A free travel Permit is available free of charge to all eligible people and thus meets the statutory requirements of the Concessionary Bus Travel Act 2007.
I have my Permit – what happens now?
Your Permit is valid up to and including its date of expiry and entitles you, during that time to travel free on LOCAL bus services throughout England in accordance with the conditions of use.
Your Permit cannot be used on rail services or for long distance journeys on, for example, express coach services.
By showing your Permit you are entitled to travel free of charge but you must show a valid Permit on each and every occasion.
The standard Permit may be used from 9.30am until 11pm on weekdays and at any time of day at weekends and on public holidays.
What happens if?
- You change your name, address or eligibility details since your last Permit was issued – you must provide the new details to your local council at the time of renewal or, better still, as soon as they change.
- You move to an area covered by a different local council - you should apply to your new local council when your permit is due for renewal. The arrangements for renewing your permit may be different in the new area.
- Your lose your Permit – you should inform the local council that issued it to you immediately. They may be able to issue a duplicate Permit but may charge a small administration fee for doing so.
- You no longer need your Permit – you may cancel your Permit at any time by returning it to the local council that issued it to you. Your local council has to pay a substantial sum of money for your bus pass and if you do not use it or need it any longer you should return it for cancellation.
Conditions of Use of the Concessionary Travel Scheme
When you accept a Bus Permit you agree to the following:
- You can only use your Permit on local bus services throughout England.
- You cannot travel before 9.30 am in the morning on weekdays unless it is a public holiday or if your Permit states you can.
- The councils that run the Concessionary Travel Scheme cannot guarantee the availability of any bus service.
- You must show your Permit to the bus driver on every occasion when you want to travel free.
- The bus driver, ticket inspector or representative of your local council can ask you about your circumstances and the journey you are making to make sure you should have a Permit.
- You must follow the bus operator's rules when you travel using your Permit. These are explained in their Conditions of Carriage and Passenger Regulations.
- You cannot buy season tickets, long distance coach tickets, excursion tickets or railway tickets using your Permit.
- You must not let anyone else use your Permit.
- Your Permit is not valid if it is changed or defaced.
- Your council will give you another Permit if you lose or damage your Permit. You may have to pay for the replacement Permit.
- Your Permit belongs to the council that gave you the Permit. You must give the Permit to the council or its representative if you are asked to.
- The councils that run the Concessionary Travel Scheme and anyone who helps them to run the Scheme are not responsible for any losses or damages you suffer when you travel using your Permit.
- The Government has said that by issuing you with a Permit from this Scheme the council is complying with the requirements of the Concessionary Bus Travel Act 2007. You are not then entitled to any other concession from your council.
ON THE BUS
- You must show your pass to the driver when boarding the bus.
- If asked, you must give your destination. This is sometimes necessary for the bus operator to claim back the value of the journey.
- Some bus operators are issuing concessionary tickets or receipts for the journey. If one is issued please take it and keep it throughout your journey.
- Some buses will be crowded, particularly at times of the day when workers and children need to travel. If you can, please arrange your journey times to avoid these buses.
- Your safety on the bus is important. Please be careful on boarding and alightly. When you wish to get off, ring the bell but stay seated until the bus has stopped.
The Council that gave you your Bus Permit will answer any questions you have about Bus Permits and their use.
Concessionary Fares helpline: 01304 872122
E-mail: confares@dover.gov.uk
