Who qualifies for a Travel Aid Pass?

You can get a Travel Aid pass if you live in Bedfordshire and:

• you are a registered unemployed adult (18 years and over), or

• you are a single parent in receipt of Income Support Benefit, or

• you are a 16 or 17 year old unemployed school leaver registered with a Careers Office.

How much does it cost?

A Travel Aid pass costs £1.00 and is valid for 28 days. During that time, you can travel on most, buses in the Bedfordshire area at half the (rounded up to the nearest 5p). Simply show your pass to the driver when buying your ticket.
So if you spend more than 50p per week on bus fares you can save money with a Travel Aid pass.

When can I use it?

Your Travel Aid pass is valid after 0900 on Mondays to Fridays and on all day Saturdays and Sundays. You can use it on most local bus services in Bedfordshire. You can also travel outside the county if your journey starts or finishes in Bedfordshire. There are restrictions on some longer distance services - see below for details.

How do I obtain a pass?

You can obtain a pass if you fit into one of the following groups:

• Unemployed (signing on weekly/monthly)
• Unemployed, registering by post, rather than at the UBO.
• Unemployed, signing on quarterly.
• A single parent receiving Income Support Benefit.
• A 16 or 17 year old unemployed school leaver registered with a Careers Office

If you qualify, you should then follow the three simple steps below:

(1) Fill in the attached form

(2) Present the completed application form to the Benefit Officer at the UBO, who will stamp it.

(3) Take your completed and stamped form within 7 days to either of the following pass issuing points: Information Office / Luton Bus Station or the Travel Shop / Bedford Bus Station

Please do not forget to take a passport sized photograph of yourself and your payment of £1.

• If you are an unemployed male aged between 60 and 65, you should take the following steps:

(1) Fill in the attached form

(2) Take the completed form straight to a pass issuing point. You need a passport sized photograph, your payment of £1, some proof of your age (e.g. Birth Certificate), and written confirmation from the DSS that you are classified long term unemployed not signing on.

Can I apply by post?

Yes. Travel Aid passes can also be issued by post. Once you have had your application send it, with passport sized photograph, £1 payment and a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:

Bedfordshire Travel Aid Scheme
Passenger Transport Section
County Hall
Bedford
MK42 9AP

Cheques or Postal Orders should be made payable to Bedfordshire County Council.

Note: Please do not send cash.

How do I renew my pass?

Simply fill in another application form, have it stamped as before and take it to any pass issuing point. You may renew your pass up to 7 days before your existing pass expires. You can also renew it by posting it to County Hall (don't forget your stamped self-addressed envelope). Remember to include the photo card number, as your new pass will only be valid when used with a photo card bearing the same number.

In addition to the Travel Aid scheme, Bedfordshire County Council operates a Cheap Fare scheme for Senior Citizens and People with Disabilities.

To qualify for a Travel Permit, you must be:

• a man aged 65 or over
• a woman aged 60 or over
• a physically disabled adult or
• an adult with a learning disability

You can obtain an application form from your local District or Borough Council

Conditions of use

(1) A valid Travel Aid pass, together with a photo card bearing the same number, must be presented to obtain the concession shown in this leaflet.

(2) Travel Aid passes are NOT transferable. They can only be used by the card holder.

(3) Travel Aid passes are valid for use on most bus services in Bedfordshire with restrictions on some longer distance services.

The restrictions are:

4 (Whippet) Not North or East of Huntingdon; not South of Stevenage, Lister Hospital.

100 Not East or South of Stevenage Bus Station

321,343 Not beyond St Albans City Centre

366 Not South of Welwyn Garden City

X1 Not North or East of Huntingdon, not South of Luton Airport

X3-4,175 Not East of Cambridge Bus Station

X4 Not West of Milton Keynes

X15,325 Not South of Stoke Mandeville Hospital

X50/1 Not South of Westoning (London service)

X50-2 Not North of Kettering

X52 Not South of Luton Airport

Travel Aid passes are not accepted on services 750, 755/7 or National Express.

(4) The Travel Aid pass and photo card remain the property of Bedfordshire County Council and must be shown when buying a ticket and at any other time on demand.

(5) Bedfordshire County Council reserves the right to require a new photograph to be taken if in its opinion the appearance of the holder has changed significantly.

(6) Passengers using Travel Aid passes are subject to PSV regulations and the standard conditions of carriage of the operators.

(7) No refunds will be considered.

For further information please contact:

Transport Co-ordination Section Department of Environment and Economic Development
County Hall
Bedford
MK42 9AP

Telephone Nigel Hale on (01234) 228881