Concessionary Travel

Connect cards

Concessionary Travel passes are issued to qualifying residents for use on any local bus services in England.

If you are a permanent resident of Bournemouth and meet the criteria below, you can apply for a pass now.

 

Connect Travelcard Readers on Buses

Card readers have been recently installed on buses across the country, most recently on Wilts and Dorset buses. Concessionary Travel passes will continue to be accepted until the expriy date shown on the front of the card, regardless of whether the card is recognised by the machine.

 

How to apply:

You can either download the application form below, or contact us and we will arrange for an application form to be sent to you.

 

Download an application form|

 

Telephone: 01202 451584

Email: concessions@bournemouth.gov.uk |

Write: Concessionary Travel, Town Hall, St Stephen's Road, Bournemouth, BH2 6LL 

 

Am I eligible?

From 6th April 2010, the eligibility age for concessionary travel passes will be when the applicant reaches state pension age. This is based on the state pension age of a woman, regardless of the applicant's gender.

 

If you were born before 6th April 1950, you were eligible for the pass on your 60th birthday. However, if you were born after this date, please check the to see when you are able to apply.

 

State pension age calculator  |

 

We will accept application forms up to 8 weeks before the date they are due. Apart from this change the eligibility for a national pass will remain the same: 

• you have reached state pension age; OR
• you are below pensionable age and you fall into one of the following categories:

• you are partially sighted or blind

• you have a learning disability

• you are without speech or hearing

• you are without arms or have lost the use of both arms

• you have been, or could be refused a driving license for medical reasons

• you have a disability or have suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long term affect on your ability to walk (which is at a comparable level to that required to claim the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance)

• you are receiving the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance at the higher rate
• you have been awarded War Pensioners Mobility Allowance  
• you have been assessed as having a permanent and substantial disability by the Service Personnel & Veterans Agency (SPVA)

 

Further details and information can be found on the application form|.

 

When and where can I use my pass?

You may use your concessionary travel pass:

• Monday to Friday 9.30am-11pm
• All day at weekends and on bank holidays.

If you are issued a pass due to a visual impairment, your pass can be used all day within the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch area. If you are travelling outside of these areas, you may only travel off peak (times listed above.)

 

Pass Holder + Companion Connect Card:

Some people will require a companion or carer to accompany them to enable their use of buses. In such circumstances, the Connect Card will be issued to allow an accompanying companion to travel without charge. Please ensure that this is requested on the application form if a "Pass Holder + Companion" card is required.

 

Companion passes can be used free on local buses in the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch area. Outside of these areas, the companion may be charged. Please check with the relevant bus company before making your journey.

 

To plan a journey visit the Getting About Website|.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Download a list of the frequently asked questions (FAQ)| by customers.

 

If your question is not answered, please call 01202 451584 and one of the team will be happy to help. 

  

Connect Travelcard - Conditions of use:

The travelcard allows the named holder (and companion if the card is so endorsed) bus travel at the concessionary rate indicated - it is not transferable to other passengers.

The travelcard is valid on all local bus services operating in England.

Travel is subject to the bus operators' conditions of carriage.

The travelcard must be shown to the driver when boarding the vehicle and be available for inspection at all times.  Drivers (or inspectors) will not allow passengers to travel at the concessionary rate if they are unable to produce a valid travelcard and they have the right to question entitlement in suspicious circumstances.

You accept that when you use your travelcard neither the local authorities that co-operate to provide the scheme nor their agents and/or contractors shall be liable for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly in connection with obtaining or using a bus operator's services.

If the travelcard is lost or stolen this should be reported to the issuing authority immediately.

The travelcard remains the property of the issuing authority.