concessionary bus pass travel times

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• Regional and local government
• Local government
• Managing the England national concessionary travel scheme
• Department for Transport

Guidance for travel concession authorities on the England national concessionary travel scheme

Published 21 December 2010

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2010

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: [email protected] .

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-travel-concession-authorities-on-the-england-national-concessionary-travel-scheme/guidance-for-travel-concession-authorities-on-the-england-national-concessionary-travel-scheme

December 2010

Introduction

1/ A mandatory bus concession for older and disabled people has been in place since 2001. The scheme has gradually been extended since its introduction and since April 2008 has provided free off-peak local bus travel to eligible older and disabled people anywhere in England.

2/ The scheme is enshrined in primary legislation through the ‘ Greater London authority act 1999 ’ and the ‘ Transport act 2000 (as modified by the ‘ Concessionary bus travel act 2007 ).

3/ Concessionary travel is administered locally by travel concession authorities (TCAs). Until 31 March 2011 the following local authorities are classed as TCAs: Shire District Councils, Unitary Authorities, Passenger Transport Executives and London Boroughs. Following a consultation in 2009, an order under section 9 of the Concessionary Bus Travel Act 2007 was approved by Parliament in March 2010, which shifts responsibility for administering concessionary travel schemes from lower tier local authorities to upper tier local authorities. Consequently from 1 April 2011 the following authorities will be TCAs: County Councils, Unitary Authorities, Passenger Transport Executives and London Boroughs.

4/ In addition to the mandatory bus concession TCAs are also able to make use of powers provided by the ‘Greater London authority act 1999’ and the ‘ Transport act 1985 ’ to offer discretionary concessionary travel schemes.

5/ This guidance note is designed to assist TCAs in administering the England national concessionary travel scheme ( ENCTS ). Section 1 of the guidance provides details of the key information that all TCAs need to know about in administering the ENCTS and provides links to other guidance documents issued by the Department for Transport ( DfT ) in relation to the scheme. Section 2 focuses on the shift in responsibility for administering the scheme from lower tier local authorities to upper tier local authorities and provides advice on how to handle a number of specific transitional issues.

6/ This guidance applies only to England. Concessionary travel is a devolved policy area, and legislation and assessment of eligibility with regard to concessionary travel in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for the appropriate devolved administration.

Administration of the England national concessionary travel scheme

Eligibility, eligible people, older people.

1.1 There are 2 broad categories of people eligible for a statutory concession: men and women who have attained the state pension age for women and eligible disabled people (where no age limits apply).

1.2 Previously the eligible age for concessionary travel was 60 years of age. However, since 6 April 2010, the age of eligibility for concessionary travel in England has been tied to the pensionable age for women. So, as the pensionable age for women gradually increases from 60 to 65 so too will the age of eligibility for concessionary travel increase for both men and women.

1.3 The age of eligibility for concessionary travel is therefore:

• for women = pensionable age
• for men = pensionable age of a woman born on the same day

1.4 It was announced in the Spending Review 2010 that the government plans to speed up the alignment of the pension age so that the pensionable age for women will now reach 65 by 2018 instead of 2020 as previously planned. Furthermore the pensionable age for both men and women will now rise to 66 by 2020. The age of eligibility for concessionary travel will increase in line with these and any other future changes to the pensionable age for women.

1.5 DfT has published guidance on the change in the age of eligibility for concessionary travel .

Disabled people

1.6 There are 7 categories of disabled people who are entitled to the statutory minimum concession and these are set out in section 146 of the Transport Act 2000 and section 240(5) of the Greater London authority act (in relation to London).

1.7 An eligible disabled person is someone who:

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

1.8 DfT has produced guidance to local authorities on assessing eligibility of disabled people (PDF, 75.6KB)

Eligible services

1.9 The ENCTS applies on eligible local bus services as defined by the ‘ Travel concessions (eligible services) order 2002 as amended by the ‘ Travel concessions (eligible services) (amendment) order 2009 ’.

1.10 The 2009 amendment order explicitly excludes the following types of services from the mandatory concession, these are:

• services on which the majority of seats can be reserved in advance of travel (such as coaches)
• services that are intended to run for a period of less than 6 consecutive weeks
• services operated primarily for the purposes of tourism or because of the historical interest of the vehicle
• bus substitution (rail replacement) services
• services where the fare charged by the operator has a special amenity element

1.11 The changes introduced by the 2009 amendment order explicitly exclude certain types of service that are outside of the spirit of the mandatory national concession, thus reducing the potential for any confusion over whether a service is eligible. Local authorities remain able to offer concessionary travel on any service affected by the changes on a discretionary basis.

1.12 Further information about the changes introduced by the 2009 amendment order is available.

Geographical coverage

1.13 The ‘Concessionary bus travel act 2007’ entitles eligible people who are resident in England to travel on any eligible service within England.

1.14 TCAs are required by law to reimburse bus operators for carrying concessionary passengers. In respect of the mandatory concession, TCAs must reimburse bus operators for all concessionary journeys starting within their boundaries, regardless of where the concessionary passholder making the journey is resident.

1.15 TCAs that border Wales or Scotland can use their existing powers to offer travel across the border on a discretionary basis based on their assessment of local need and their overall financial priorities. Given the change in administrative responsibilities in England, any previously agreed cross-border discretionary concessionary travel schemes with lower-tier local authorities in England will need to be re-agreed between the relevant upper tier local authority in England and the relevant Welsh or Scottish authority. When making cross-border arrangements, TCAs should also be mindful of the differing ages of eligibility. that now exist in the different countries.

1.16 The national bus concession in England is available at any time on a Saturday, Sunday or bank holiday, and from 9.30am to 11pm on any other day. TCAs are able to offer concessionary travel outside these hours on a discretionary basis.

1.17 The concessionary travel arrangements for older and disabled people in London are different from those in the rest of England. The statutory minimum concession in London is set out in the GLA act 1999 . In London, the statutory minimum hours at which the travel concession must be provided are at any time at weekends and bank holidays and from midnight to 4.30am and the period from 9.30am to midnight on any other day.

1.18 The ‘Concessionary bus travel act 2007’ specifies that TCAs must issue a travel concession permit to an eligible person whose sole or principal residence is in the authority’s area.

1.19 Concessionary travel legislation makes no reference to nationality but to “residents”. Foreign nationals living in England who have met the residency requirements of the ‘Concessionary bus travel act 2007’ would be eligible. A foreign national visitor on a short stay visa or visiting England for business or holiday is not a resident.

1.20 The concession in England is not available to those whose principal residence is overseas (or in Wales, Scotland, Ireland or Northern Ireland), whether or not the person holds a British passport.

1.21 Eligible persons who reside in more than one residence in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland should apply for a travel concession permit only with the TCA that they reside in most of the time.

1.22 Good practice would indicate that a signed declaration from an applicant is one way to assist fair application of the ‘sole or principle residence criteria’. If you are a TCA that does not currently collect such a declaration, you may wish to consider including it in future application forms.

ENCTS passes

1.23 The travel concession permit for the ENCTS is to be issued free of charge. The legislation does not require the applicant to be fully indemnified for the cost of providing his/her photograph - nor for any signed medical certification, or any postage on his or her application.

1.24 Bus operators must grant the statutory minimum concession to eligible persons. The purpose of imposing on the authority a duty to issue ENCTS passes is to enable concessionaires to provide evidence to bus operators of their entitlement.

1.25 There is no provision in the legislation about safe keeping and it is the department’s view (which it is stressed is only a view) that it is the ENCTS pass holder’s responsibility to look after that evidence. This suggests that the obligation to issue an ENCTS pass free of charge would be limited to the first pass only. However, if a person applies for a replacement it is doubtful whether the authority would have the right to refuse to issue one without good reason or to charge more than a sum representing roughly the cost of producing it.

1.26 It is DfT ’s view that nothing in the legislation would prevent an authority from refusing to issue a replacement ENCTS pass to a person whom it had good reason to believe is engaged in fraud. As a matter of good practice in preventing fraud, the department strongly recommends that any pass issued in replacement for one which has been lost or stolen should generally be issued using the same photograph as the original pass. Each TCA is strongly encouraged to maintain a database of persons to whom ENCTS passes have been issued, including a digitised photograph of each recipient.

1.27 The use of the ENCTS pass is subject to the conditions of carriage of the individual Operator on whose vehicle the journey is being made.

Specification

1.28 When the ENCTS was introduced in 2008 a new England-wide ENCTS pass design was introduced so that bus drivers throughout England could recognise at a glance that an ENCTS pass holder was eligible for free travel.

1.29 The ‘ Concessionary bus travel (permits)(England) regulations 2008 ’ set out the specification of the England-wide ENCTS passes. TCAs are responsible for producing passes that comply with the standard design as specified in the regulations for their concessionaires.

1.30 The regulations set out the position and format of the standard elements of the ENCTS pass - the holder’s photograph, their name, the expiry date, the hologram, the unique identifying number, the ITSO logo, the rose logo, and the ribbon background. They also require ENCTS passes to be ITSO smartcards. This means that, where bus companies have installed ITSO smart readers on their buses, the passes will be read electronically. Where buses don’t have ITSO readers, the passes will simply be shown to the driver.

1.31 The ENCTS pass features an expiry date which must be no more than 5 years from the date of issue. Whilst the maximum life of a pass is 5 years from the date of issue, there is no recommended minimum life.

1.32 The ENCTS pass has a hologram, which acts as a security feature and a deterrent to fraud and counterfeiting. The hologram is supplied by the DfT to ensure that every hologram is identical. The hologram comprises the rose logo and ribbon design as follows:

ENCTS pass image

1.33 There are 2 different ENCTS pass designs, depending on whether the holder is eligible as a disabled person or as an older person. A blue strip down the right hand side shows that the pass has been issued to an older person; an orange strip shows that the pass has been issued to someone with an eligible disability.

1.34 The top right hand corner of the ENCTS pass is for local customisation. It must feature, as a minimum, either the logo or the name of the issuing TCA (or both) so that bus drivers can recognise who has issued the pass.

1.35 TCAs are free to add other additional symbols, logos or words if they wish. For example, as TCAs are able to offer additional benefits above the statutory minimum concession to their residents, they may wish to use this area to identify whether an ENCTS pass holder is eligible for any additional local benefits (e.g. companion travel or travel before 9.30am).

Data collection

1.36 The department suggests that the following minimum data should be collected and stored for each ENCTS pass holder:

• name of pass holder
• address of pass holder
• an expiry date for the pass
• a photograph
• entitlement type (age or disability related)
• a unique reference number
• ITSO shell reference number (ISRN)

1.37 Authorities might also want to consider, subject to their own legal advice, collecting the national insurance number of the pass holder in order to assist future national fraud initiative ( NFI ) exercises that are carried out by the Audit Commission . The NFI is a matching exercise in comparing all of the concessionary travel data in the UK with the national death register in an attempt to find members of the public who are participating in fraud. The Audit Commission does not require additional work to be carried out to collect this information; however authorities may decide locally to collect it in order to further improve the quality of NFI matches. There is however no statutory requirement for an applicant of an ENCTS pass to divulge their national insurance number to a TCA .

1.38 More information on the NFI is available.

1.39 The department also recommends that the TCA ’s arrangement with the general registrar is such that they have access to deaths information to maintain their ENCTS passes database. This information could also be complimented by the NFI and/or DWP ’s optional Tell Us Once initiative , which is still in the pilot stages, with national roll-out due in March 2011.

1.40 The National Fraud Authority (part of the Attorney General’s Office ) is currently looking at ways of enhancing access to deaths data for local authorities and councils for the purpose of fraud prevention.

1.41 All TCAs should satisfy themselves that all data on individuals is collected and further processed in accordance with the requirements of the ‘ Data protection act 1998 ’ and that they have the requisite powers to request, keep and share any information.

1.42 DfT has published guidance for TCAs on ENCTS pass issuing requirements .

Discretionary arrangements

1.43 In addition to the mandatory bus concession, TCAs are also able to offer discretionary concessionary travel schemes, i.e. schemes which go beyond the statutory minimum in one or more respects. This does not necessarily require a separate scheme to be created; a scheme which offers benefits which include but are more generous than the statutory minimum will at the same time fulfil any obligation to ensure that the statutory minimum is provided.

1.44 The proposed arrangements for discretionary concessionary travel schemes should be published by the TCA at least 28 days before the scheme commences (additional time may need to be allowed if a Participation Notice is likely to be required). It should be clear to operators from the published details what concessions they will be required to offer and the timing and amount of reimbursement that they can expect to receive to cover their revenue forgone and any additional costs incurred.

1.45 TCAs have the flexibility to offer local enhancements just to their residents in the area covered by their scheme, and its vicinity (as now). If they wish (and at their own cost) they may offer discretionary benefits within the area of their scheme to all eligible persons from England on the production of their ENCTS pass.

1.46 Enhancements could include, for example:

• free travel before 9.30am
• a 50% (or other) discount before 9.30am
• free travel for any person travelling as the companion of a disabled person
• free, or reduced-rate, travel on other modes of transport

1.47 Enhanced benefits can be given to all residents who are eligible for the national concession, or to subgroups (such as blind people). They can be given within a scheme area or sub-scheme area and, at the authority’s discretion, on crossboundary journeys, and journeys in the vicinity of the scheme area.

1.48 Authorities can only give an ENCTS pass to people who meet the criteria set out in the legislation for the statutory minimum concession. They can offer local benefits to people who do not qualify for an ENCTS pass but these local benefits should be offered through a pass that uses a design that is clearly different from the ENCTS pass.

1.49 The department recommends that local authorities seek their own legal advice when creating, withdrawing or amending such polices. With reference to the Local Government Ombudsman report of 24th September 2009, we recommend that local authorities should also be mindful of the impact that any changes to the concessions on offer may have on their residents and other stakeholders and keep them appropriately informed during the process. Authorities should also ensure that they comply with their own disability equality schemes.

1.50 The government ombudsman report of 24th September 2009 found a number of TCAs guilty of ‘maladministration causing injustice’ when they removed some of the discretionary elements of their concessionary travel schemes.

1.51 The full report is available .

Schemes offered as an alternative to the statutory minimum concession

1.52 A TCA may provide an alternative scheme under s.93 of the 1985 Act whereby a person eligible for the statutory minimum concession may agree with the authority concerned to give up that entitlement for a period and to accept instead an alternative concession offered by that authority, such as travel tokens. The person concerned can opt for the alternative even if it would generally be of lower value than the statutory minimum bus concession.

1.53 In cases where authorities envisage offering a scheme (such as a token scheme) as an alternative to the statutory minimum, rather than in addition to it, they will need to ensure that the information provided about the alternative scheme makes clear to those participating in it that they do so on the basis that they have accepted it as an alternative to their rights to the statutory minimum (the national bus concession) and not as an addition to those rights.

1.54 It should be noted that authorities are not under an obligation to offer an alternative scheme; nor are their residents able to require them to offer it. It should also be noted that even where a TCA does offer an alternative to the national bus concession to their own residents, they are still obliged to reimburse bus operators for all concessionaires using the ENCTS pass (including nonresidents) for journeys starting in their area.

1.55 Central government provides funding to TCAs for the ENCTS . From April 2011, all central government funding for the concessionary travel scheme will be provided through formula grant, which is administered by the Department for Communities and Local Government ( DCLG ). Formula grant is a non-ringfenced, unhypothecated block grant which gives local authorities the freedom and flexibility they want in their use of funding.

1.56 This approach supersedes the funding mechanism where the government provided funding for concessionary travel through two channels: formula grant from DCLG and special grant from DfT . Special grant funding has been rolled into formula grant so that funding now comes from one source.

1.57 From July 2010 to October 2010, DCLG held a consultation on the distribution of formula grant from April 2011 onwards. Given the changes in administrative responsibility for concessionary travel from April 2011, the consultation included proposals for how to remove concessionary travel from the formula grant received by lower tier local authorities and then how to transfer it to the formula grant received by upper tier local authorities.

1.58 Details about the chosen options for taking forward the financial implications of the concessionary travel administrative changes and about future local authority funding allocations are available on the DCLG website .

Reimbursement

1.59 TCAs are required by law to reimburse bus operators for carrying concessionary passengers, on the principle that the operators are “no better off and no worse off” by taking part in concessionary travel schemes. The aim is not to subsidise bus operators, but to pay for any increased costs that they have incurred.

1.60 Reimbursement of bus operators is divided into two elements: revenue forgone and net additional costs. Revenue forgone is the reimbursement of fares that operators would have received from concessionary journeys that would have been made in the absence of a scheme. The average fare forgone is generally not the same as the quoted commercial cash fare but should be calculated as an average of all ticket types that would have been available to concessionaires in the absence of the scheme.

1.61 The proportion of observed concessionary journeys that are made purely because of the concession are referred to as ‘generated journeys’. The only extra funding requirement associated with generated journeys should be the net additional costs that bus operators incur from these additional journeys. These are namely wear and tear on buses and possible costs from changes in service frequency or density. In very exceptional cases, net additional costs will include the costs to operators of buying an extra vehicle to cater for generated journeys.

1.62 Calculating concessionary travel reimbursement is predicated on determining what would have happened in the absence of the concessionary scheme and requires TCAs to estimate the following components of reimbursement:

• the fares that operators would have offered and concessionary travellers
• paid in the absence of the concession
• the proportion of total observed concessionary journeys that would have been made in the absence of the concession
• any net additional costs that operators have incurred as a result of the concession

1.63 DfT provides guidance to local authorities and bus operators on how to calculate appropriate reimbursement. The latest version of this guidance is available.

1.64 In the event of a disagreement between an operator and TCA as to the reimbursement arrangements offered by the TCA , there is a mechanism provided under sections 98(2) and 99(2) of the 1985 Act and section 150(3) of the 2000 Act, by which the operator can apply to the Secretary of State for Transport for cancellation, variation or modification of the arrangements.

1.65 The right of an operator to apply to the Secretary of State for modification of the proposed reimbursement arrangements offered by a TCA is an important safeguard. This application process is often referred to as the ‘appeal process’.

1.66 Applications should only be submitted after proper consideration and after attempts to reach a resolution at the local level have been exhausted. The time limit for making an appeal is 56 days from the commencement or variation of a scheme.

1.67 The Secretary of State appoints independent decision makers to determine the applications on his behalf, in line with the provisions of section 100(5) of the 1985 Act and section 150(6)(b) of the 2000 Act.

1.68 DfT has produced guidance on the appeals process .

Communications

1.69 TCAs are responsible for ensuring that people who are eligible to claim concessionary travel are able to do so.

1.70 TCAs should inform eligible people of:

• what they are entitled to
• how they can obtain a ENCTS pass
• how they can check their eligibility
• what services they can use their pass on
• how they can obtain further information

Sharing best practice

1.71 The concessionary travel online community ( CTOC ) is a forum for those involved in delivering concessionary travel (including local authorities and bus operators) to share best practice, ideas and practical tips. You can sign up at http://www.communities.idea.gov.uk/c/844620/home.do

Further Information

1.72 If you cannot find the information you need within this guidance or on the DfT website, the concessionary travel team can be contacted at the following email address: [email protected] .

Change in administrative responsibility - transitional issues

Note: The following guidance notes on transitional issues reflect the views of the Department for Transport. It is ultimately up to the courts to determine whether authorities comply with the requirements of the law and therefore we would also advise authorities to take their own legal advice.

ENCTS Pass Issues

Itso and isl, definition of terms.

2.1 ITSO specification is the UK technical specification for interoperable smart ticketing. Concessionary Bus Travel (Permits)(England) Regulations 2008 (SI No 417, 2008) requires that all ENCTS passes must be issued in compliance with ITSO.

2.2 ITSO Limited is an organisation that supports, facilitates and enables the delivery of smart, integrated and interoperable ticketing across Great Britain.

2.3 ITSO services limited ( ISL ) is a separate company that has been set up by DfT and ITSO which provides certain services for “non-smart” English TCAs.

2.4 Host operator or processing system ( HOPS ) is the element of the back office system defined within the ITSO Specification to cover message handling, ITSO shell and product accounting and asset management functions.

2.5 TCAs that are “smart” retain an ITSO Licence and mange their own ITSO smart ticketing infrastructure. TCAs which are “non-smart” remain under contract with ISL .

Transitional Issues

2.6 New “non-smart” TCAs should contact ISL to sign new contracts (known as an ‘annex A agreement’), in order to supersede existing contracts held by their constituent Districts no longer responsible for concessionary travel from 1 April 2011. Authorities who no longer retain TCA responsibilities after 31 March 2011 will be required to notify ISL of their intention to terminate the existing contract.

2.7 See the ISL Guidance Note (Re-organisation of Concessionary Travel Administration) for more information at http://www.itsoservices.org.uk/page167/Documents-And-Links

Card production contracts

2.8 Districts and the corresponding County are encouraged to talk with each other to discuss the contracts with suppliers that already exist so that the upper-tier authority can make informed decisions about contracts going forward.

2.9 Any lower-tier authority that no longer intends to produce ENCTS passes from 1 April 2011 should terminate or transfer their contract with their supplier in accordance with the terms of their agreement.

2.10 Any upper-tier authority who intends to produce ENCTS passes from 1 April 2011 should ensure that contracts are in place with a supplier in good time to be able to carry out their concessionary travel responsibilities from this date. Authorities may wish to transfer-in an existing contract or multiple contracts or chose new suppliers. Authorities should do this within the scope of EU regulations and their own procurement rules.

OIDs and CPICCs .

2.11 An OID (operator ID) Number is issued by ITSO for unique identification of a participant within the ITSO environment. For the purposes of ENCTS , OIDs are utilised to identify concessionary travel schemes.

2.12 CPICCs (concessionary pass issuing cost centre) denote the TCA responsible for administering the scheme.

2.13 Authorities who are responsible for concessionary travel for the first time from 1 April 2011 should contact ISL (tel. 0121 634 2758, email [email protected]) as soon as possible to discuss OIDs and CPICCs compositions within their schemes.

Issuing of ENCTS passes

2.14 County councils cannot issue ENCTS passes until 1st April 2011. Passes issued by any TCA before this date are valid for travel until their expiry date. As a minimum, each ENCTS pass must show the name/logo of the issuing authority. The maximum expiry date that can be set is five years. This means that for up to 5 years, residents of the same local authority could hold travel passes that look different but offer the same discretionary concessions - some residents will hold passes issued (prior to 1st April 2011) by the district authority and some will hold passes issued (after 1st April 2011) by the county council. TCAs should notify bus operators of the different pass designs in issue in their area and therefore which passes are valid for the different discretionary concessions that may be on offer.

2.15 If, from 1st April 2011, county councils are removing discretionary concessions that used to be offered previously by the districts then they should write to individual pass holders if they hold passes which contain logos/symbols that may lead the holder to believe they are still entitled to certain discretionary concessions. For example, ENCTS passes with C+ symbols on them to denote the presence of a discretionary companion scheme.

Discretionary concessions

Use of well-being powers by district councils wishing to continue to provide discretionary travel concessions from April 2011.

2.16 The well-being powers are contained in section 2 of the Local Government act 2000-

“2 Promotion of well-being

(1) Every local authority are to have power to do anything which they consider is likely to achieve any one or more of the following objects:

(a) the promotion or improvement of the economic well-being of their area

(b) the promotion or improvement of the social well-being of their area

(c) the promotion or improvement of the environmental well-being of their area

(2) The power under subsection (1) may be exercised in relation to or for the benefit of:

(a) the whole or any part of a local authority’s area, or

(b) all or any persons resident or present in a local authority’s area.

(3) In determining whether or how to exercise the power under subsection (1), a local authority [in England] must have regard to their strategy under section 4.

(4) The power under subsection (1) includes power for a local authority to:

(a) incur expenditure

(b) give financial assistance to any person

(c) enter into arrangements or agreements with any person

(d) co-operate with, or facilitate or co-ordinate the activities of, any person

(e) exercise on behalf of any person any functions of that person

(f) provide staff, goods, services or accommodation to any person.

(5) The power under subsection (1) includes a power for a local authority to do anything in relation to, or for the benefit of, any person or area situated outside their area if they consider that it is likely to achieve any one or more of the objects in that subsection.

(6) Nothing in subsection (4) or (5) affects the generality of the power under subsection (1).”

2.17 Section 3 of the LG Act 2000 places limits on the well-being powers. For example, the power under section 2(1) does not enable a local authority to do anything which they are unable to do by virtue of any prohibition, restriction or limitation on their powers which is contained in any enactment (whenever passed or made). So applying this principle to concessionary travel, from April 2011 a district council may not use its well-being powers to reverse the effect of the ‘Concessionary bus travel act 2007 (variation of reimbursement and other administrative arrangements) order 2010’ which changes the responsibility for administration of concessionary travel schemes under the ‘Transport act 2000’ and the ‘Transport act 1985’. Therefore any future discretionary schemes by district councils would not count as schemes under the ‘Transport act 1985’ and the provisions under that act would not apply.

2.18 The well-being powers do appear however to be sufficient to allow a district council to establish a separate scheme offering travel concessions. Such a scheme would have certain important legal differences. For example, criminal sanctions would not apply in the event of failures of a bus service operator to provide a concession and the Secretary of State would not be obliged to resolve a dispute between the district council and a bus service operator regarding the proposed reimbursement arrangements. However, the district council could still enforce agreements with bus service operators as a contract in the county court.

Ability of county councils to offer district level concessions.

2.19 Although responsibility for discretionary enhancements is changing, it is not the intention of the change in responsibility to impact on the additional entitlements offered. County councils will be able to take into account the differing needs of their individual residents in determining which discretionary concessions to offer.

2.20 The order which shifts responsibility for administering concessionary travel (both the statutory scheme and discretionary enhancements) from lower tier local authorities to upper tier local authorities does not preclude:

• upper tier authorities from maintaining or introducing district or local level discretions, for example where there are differing needs within differing parts of a county boundary
• district councils from providing funding to county councils to administer discretionary concessions on their behalf
• district councils from considering discretionary travel schemes using the “well-being powers” contained in the ‘Local government act 2000’, subject to advice from their own legal advisors

Ability to offer alternative concessions to the ENCTS pass

2.21 Section 145A(9) of the ‘Transport act 2000’ allows TCAs to enter into an agreement with an entitled concessionaire under which the person surrenders the right to their ENCTS pass for a period in return for travel concessions under a scheme (such as travel tokens or a railcard) under section 93 of the ‘Transport act 1985’.

2.22 It is important to note that Section 145A(9) of the ‘Transport act 2000’ would not apply to a scheme established by a district council under the well-being powers.

2.23 This means that lower tier authorities would no longer be able to finance the issue of, for example, travel tokens for use on taxi journeys by agreeing with older or disabled people that they waive their right to an ENCTS pass. Such an arrangement would need to be established by the upper tier authority.

2.24 District councils wishing to make use of their well-being powers to provide travel tokens may therefore wish to consider restricting the eligible categories of people to which they offer such tokens to ensure that they benefit those most in need. Alternatively district councils could provide funding to their county council to administer a travel token scheme on their behalf. In this circumstance the county council could make use of Section 145A(9) of the Transport Act 2000 to offer the tokens as a substitute for the ENCTS pass. The county council could then take any savings in ENCTS pass costs into account when agreeing the funding arrangement for the token scheme with the district council.

TUPE Implications

2.25 TCAs may need to consider the implications of transfer of undertakings protection of employment ( TUPE ) in the transfer of responsibility for concessionary travel from lower to upper-tier authorities.

2.26 Regulation 3(5) of the domestic ‘ TUPE regulations 2006 ’ says:

(5) An administrative reorganisation of public administrative authorities or the transfer of administrative functions between public administrative authorities is not a relevant transfer.

2.27 We recommend that TCAs take their own legal advice if they have any queries over potential TUPE implications from the transfer of responsibility.

Data handling

2.28 The transfer of concessionary travel data from lower tier local authorities (e.g. districts) to upper tier local authorities (e.g. counties) is necessary to meet the requirements of the ‘Concessionary bus travel act 2007 (variation of reimbursement and other administrative arrangements) order 2010’. The transfer should therefore be compliant with the Data Protection Act ( DPA ), but authorities will want to bear in mind the following.

2.29 Fair processing - DfT sought advice from the Information Commissioner’s Office ( ICO ) on what steps they think local authorities should take to inform individuals that their personal data is being transferred from lower tier authorities to upper tier authorities. The ICO ’s view is that best practice in this case would be for authorities to write to individual ENCTS pass holders to notify them of the change of arrangements – though they added that as the purpose of the processing is not changing, and the data is only moving from one local authority to another, it should be sufficient to place notices in the local press and on websites, as well as covering it in the next communication to ENCTS pass holders. It will be for individual local authorities to decide which approach to take. Further guidance in this area can be found in the ICO privacy notice code of practice .

2.30 Data security - It is important to ensure that the transfer of the data meets appropriate security standards. The ICO framework code of practice for sharing personal information provides guidance on this.

2.31 Data accuracy - exporting authorities will want to make sure that their data is accurate and up to date before transferring it to the new authority. The transfer should not be made earlier than is necessary to ensure a smooth transition in the administrative arrangements. The data protection officer for your local authority should be able to provide further advice on any of these points.

Question and answers

Q: Is transfer of historic reimbursement data / patronage data/ pass holder data allowed under the Data Protection Act ( DPA )?

A: In our view, yes. In terms of the first principle of the DPA , the disclosure is “necessary for the exercise of any functions conferred on any person by or under any enactment”.

Q: Do district councils have to transfer data to counties under the new legislation?

A: There is no reason for them not to. If they do not, they will not be able to continue processing the data themselves because they will have no legal basis for doing so.

Q: What if the district council is reluctant to hand over data before legal responsibility is transferred to the county council?

A: We don’t believe there is anything in the Data Protection Act that would preclude the transfer of the data a reasonable period of time in advance of the law coming into effect, if it was done to ensure a smooth transition. Authorities should bear in mind however that if the data is transferred too far in advance, it is more likely to be out of date by the time they need to start using it. That could mean a further transfer would be necessary to bring the data up to date.

Q: Should either party to the transfer write to the individuals whose data is being transferred to inform them of the change?

A: The ICO ’s view is that best practice in this case would be for authorities to write to individual ENCTS pass holders to notify them of the change of arrangements. Though they did add that as the purpose of the processing is not changing, and the data is only moving from one local authority to another, it should be sufficient to place notices in the local press and on websites, as well as covering it in the next communication to ENCTS pass holders. It will be for individual local authorities to decide which approach to take.

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Benefits and Entitlements

If you're 60 or over or you have a disability, you might be eligible for public transport concessions – from discounts on your rail journeys to a free bus pass.

What transport concessions are available?

Can i get a free bus pass, can i get a discount on train travel, can i get a london freedom pass, what if i have difficulty using public transport, what if i'm unable to use public transport, more travel concessions questions.

There are several national public transport concessions available to older and disabled people. Some entitle you to discounts on your fares, while others allow you to travel for free.

Eligibility for these concessions depends on whether you have a disability or your age. 

Depending on your age and your circumstances, you might be able to get one of the following free bus passes, which allow you to travel free on local buses:

• an older person's bus pass
• a disabled person's bus pass

What age do I have to be to get an older person's bus pass?

You can get an older person's bus pass when you reach State Pension age, which is currently 66 for both women and men.

Apply for your older person's bus pass on GOV.UK

If you're 60 or over and live in London, then you can get free travel on buses, trains and other modes of transport in and around London with a 60+ London Oyster photocard.

Apply for your 60+ London Oyster photocard on the TFL website

How can I get a disabled person's bus pass?

There's no central provider of the disabled person's bus pass – to find out if you're eligible and how to apply, you need to get in touch with your local council.

Find your local council and apply for a disabled person's bus pass on GOV.UK

Are there any other discounts if I'm an older person or I'm disabled?

It's a good idea to contact individual transport operators to see if they offer discounts.

For instance, National Express offers Coachcards. These are discount cards for older or disabled customers. You buy them for a set fee of £15.00 and they get you a third off the cost of your travel across the year.

Find out more and order a Coachcard on the National Express website

Depending on your age and circumstances, you might be entitled to one of the below railcards:

• a Senior Railcard
• a Disabled Person's Railcard

Both railcards are discount cards. You buy them for a set fee to last either 1 or 3 years and they get you a third off the cost of your train travel.

Can I get a Senior Railcard?

The Senior Railcard is available for anyone aged 60 or over to buy.

You can apply on the Senior Railcard website using a valid passport or UK driving licence as ID. Or, you can apply in person at most staffed railway stations.

Find out more about the Senior Railcard and apply online

Can I get a Disabled Person's Railcard?

The Disabled Person's Railcard is available to you if you meet one of the following criteria:

• you're registered as deaf or use a hearing aid
• you're registered as having a visual impairment
• you have epilepsy
• you receive a disability-related benefit, such as  Personal Independence Payment
• you receive War or Service Disablement pension
• you receive Attendance Allowance
• you receive Severe Disablement Allowance
• you receive War Pensioner's mobility supplement

Find out more about the Disabled Person's Railcard and apply online

Freedom Passes give London residents free travel in the city – including National Rail services, the Underground, buses, river services and trams – and free local bus journeys nationally.

If you live in London, you can apply for a Freedom Pass if one of the following applies to you:

• you've reached State Pension age
• you have a disability.

Find out more about Freedom Passes and apply on the London Councils website

National Rail has an interactive tool called Stations Made Easy, designed to help people find their way around stations and find more accessible routes, avoiding potential difficulties like stairs. This may be helpful if you have difficulty using public transport because of your health. 

Find out more and use the tool on the National Rail website

If you're disabled, you can't use public transport, or you don't have access to a car, you might also be able to use a community transport scheme – such as a social car, dial-a-ride, or taxicard scheme.

Shopmobility schemes help people shop in town centres by lending out wheelchairs and scooters. Some local councils also offer concessions on local public transport.

To find out what's available in your area, you can contact your local council or your local Age UK.

Find your local council on GOV.UK

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No, you can't use a free bus pass on National Express buses. To get senior concessions on National Express you need to buy a senior coachcard, which costs £15 a year.

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Yes, your bus pass will give you free travel on buses across England, including London. However, there may be specific rules about when you can travel for free, so check your local council's free bus pass guidance before travelling.

Find your local council's older person's bus pass guidance on GOV.UK

Want more information?

Apply for an older person's bus pass on GOV.UK

Apply for a disabled person's bus pass on GOV.UK

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Last updated: Apr 09 2024

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Concessionary bus passes valid from new time of 9am on all Wiltshire bus routes from 1 May

Wiltshire Council has confirmed that holders of Wiltshire concessionary bus passes will be able to use their passes for travel from 9am on local bus services on weekdays from 1 May.

Normally, concessionary bus passes for older and disabled people cannot be used to travel before 9.30am on weekdays, but Wiltshire Council has agreed with bus operators to amend this restriction to 9am until further notice, for all journeys that start in the Wiltshire Council local authority area. 

Pass holders will still be able to use their bus pass at any time to travel at weekends.

Cllr Tamara Reay, Cabinet Member for Transport, said:  We often get asked if we can allow pass holders to use their passes earlier on weekdays and so we are delighted to offer this extension to the scheme which gives those with concessionary bus passes more flexibility to get around.

A key priority in our Business Plan is a commitment to having vibrant, well-connected communities, and to increase the use of public transport. This scheme is a great example of the work we're doing to make this a reality.

I'd like to thank our bus operators for their continued support, which means we can implement schemes like this for our communities.

For more information about concessionary bus passes, people can visit:  https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/1720/Concessionary-bus-pass

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Concessionary pass

• Your pass entitles you to free off-peak travel on local bus services in England under the rules of the national bus concessionary travel scheme set out in the Transport Act 2000.
• Your pass also entitles you to other travel concessions on bus, train and tram (West Midlands Metro) services across the West Midlands Network area from 9.30am Monday to Friday, and anytime during the weekend or bank holidays.
• The pass is valid until the expiry date displayed on the front as long as you continue to live in the West Midlands.
• Replacement passes are available upon request, subject to specific terms and conditions as below and payment of an administration fee. All replacement passes are issued at the discretion of West Midlands Combined Authority.
• All concessionary travel passes remain the property of West Midlands Combined Authority and will be withdrawn if misused.
• Concessionary travel passes are not transferable and can only be used by the person whose name and photograph is displayed on the pass.
• The pass is not valid if it is damaged or altered in any way. If you misuse the pass, we may withdraw it and a charge will be made to replace or return the pass.
• You must show your pass to the driver, conductor or revenue inspector when requested. The pass can be taken from you for improper use.
• If you have moved out of one of the 7 districts that make up the West Midlands Combined Authority, you must let us know so you can apply for a new travel pass through your local authority.

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Enjoy free bus travel forever with a Senior Bus Pass!

Whether you're catching up with old friends at Whitelock's, or spending time with the grandkids at Roundhay Park, if you're eligible for a state pension, you qualify for free bus travel across Leeds and England through the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme. 

With a Senior Bus Pass, you can enjoy unlimited free bus rides every weekday from 9:30am onwards, all day on weekends and public holidays too. You could meet up with friends for a coffee or catch up with your family, head to the shops to treat yourself or explore some of the local museums - you can do more of what you love whilst spending less. 

So what are you waiting for?  Start making memories to last a lifetime with your free Senior Bus Pass.

Here's what the people of Leeds had to say about free bus travel forever...

Click here to apply today!

Looking for more inspiration? Check out our pages:

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• Retail therapy in Leeds.

Got a destination in mind but not sure what bus to catch? Use our online  Journey Planner by clicking here  or download the  First Bus App by clicking here .

Using a Senior, Blind or Disabled Travel Pass:

• If you are of state pensionable age and over or registered disabled and hold a valid concessionary pass you're entitled to free travel on our buses after 9:30am Monday to Friday and all day weekends and Bank Holidays.
• Before 9:30am Monday-Friday the full adult fare is payable.
• If you hold a Metro Blind Travel Pass you're entitled to free travel on our buses at all times. Just show your pass to the driver as you board.

Companion Permits

• If you hold a concessionary pass (blind, disabled or senior) showing the companion symbol, then one companion is entitled to the same concession as the pass holder. You don't have to travel with the same companion every time you use our buses, but your companion does have to get on and off the bus at the same stop as you.

Senior Pass FAQs

Am I eligible? Anyone who qualifies for a state pension and lives in West Yorkshire can apply for the Senior Bus Pass from WY Metro. The age when you qualify for a state pension is not the same for everyone and depends on the year you were born.  Check your state pension age   to see when you'll be eligible for free bus travel.  

How do I apply for my pass? The Senior Bus Pass is issued by WY Metro. If you’re eligible you can apply for your pass on their website  here   or by visiting a Metro Travel Centre within the West Yorkshire bus stations. 

How do I use my pass? Simply tap, beep, then take a seat! 1. Tap your pass on to the ticket machine as you board. 2. Wait for the beep from the ticket machine. 3. Take a seat on the bus. Enjoy FREE bus travel forever.

What if my pass doesn't work? You can still travel - your driver will record your pass manually and issue you with a ticket for your journey.

What if my pass needs to be replaced?   You can renew your pass 28 days before it's due to expire by visiting a Metro Travel Centre in bus stations or online here.

If you have lost your pass, you should contact your card issuer to arrange for a replacement pass. There is a £5 charge to replace a lost or damaged Senior Bus Pass.

In West Yorkshire, you can contact the MetroLine team on 0113 245 7676 or visit them at the bus station Metro Travel Centres.

How do I find out more information about the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme?

For more information about the Senior Pass browse WY Metro FAQ's  here   and read their Senior Pass terms & conditions  here.

Concessionary travel

Cheaper travel with the National Entitlement Card scheme.

100 million free bus journeys made by under 22s

More than 100 million free bus journeys have been made since the Scottish Government introduced free bus travel for under 22s.

Our concessionary travel schemes make getting about easier and cheaper for people in Scotland. And by making more sustainable travel choices easier to access, we can help to tackle the climate emergency as well.

Over 2 million people across Scotland can travel for free by bus, and eligible islands residents can access free ferry vouchers too.

Find out more about the free and discounted travel on offer.

Under 22s free bus travel

Young people and children in Scotland who are aged 5-21 can apply for a card to access free bus travel.

60+ or disabled free bus travel

People in Scotland who are aged 60 and over, and disabled people who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for a card to access free bus travel.

Ferry vouchers

Eligible islands residents who have a National Entitlement Card can get two free return ferry journeys to the mainland each year.

Other concessionary travel and discounts

Find out about other concessionary travel schemes and discounted travel in Scotland.

The Transport Scot Pass Collect app

Find out more about the Transport Scot Pass Collect app and how to use it.

Reporting misuse

How to report concerns about misuse of the concessionary travel schemes for investigation.

Getting and using your card

How to apply.

• Apply online at getyournec.scot
• Find contact details to apply through your local council

Using your card

• Find out about using your NEC on other transport modes

Help with travelling

• Find out more about the Thistle Assistance Card

Concessionary travel and smart ticketing privacy policy

Our concessionary travel and smart ticketing privacy policy outlines how we use, store and share the personal information we hold about you in connection with our national concessionary travel schemes.

Moscow Bus Network

Moscow's crazy traffic and its excellent metro network mean that the city's buses and trolleybuses aren't the number one option for tourists .

Moscow has hundreds of bus and trolleybus routes , many of which connect the city centre with its otherwise-isolated suburban neighbourhoods. Regular traffic jams mean that the bus network has not always been the most recommendable option , especially as the metro is so efficient. 

Having said that, new bus lanes have opened up recently making it a comfortable alternative for certain routes. The bus can be a good, economical option at night , when 13 routes replace the metro after it shuts down (all starting from Kitay-Gorod metro and taking the main roads out to the edge off the city).

More modern buses have screens indicating the stops along the route, but in older ones you may well struggle knowing where to get off if relying on the Russian-language loudspeaker announcements .

If you do decide to catch the bus, tickets can be purchased from kiosks and metro stops, and the majority of lines operate between 6 am and 1 am.

You may also be interested in

While Moscow has an efficient public transport system, you may sometimes find it more convenient to travel by taxi and prices are usually affordable. Find fares and top tips here!

Tickets & travelcards

Fares for Moscow's public transport network are the same for every mode of transport making it really easy to travel. See all the different tickets here!

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London Local Elections 2024: Everything you need to know, including date, where to vote and what you need to vote

Ahead of the Mayoral and London Assembly Elections on Thursday May 2, here is how and where you can cast your vote

If you haven’t done so already, now’s the time to mark this  Thursday May 2 in your calendars, as it’s time for London ’s Mayoral and General Assembly elections. 

The London Mayor was a position created back in 2000, and the idea is that this person creates goals for the city and sets a budget to go with it. The London Assembly is there to hold the Mayor to account, and it’s made up of 25 members, 14 of whom represent constituencies, and 11 represent all of London. 

Since May 9 2016, Sadiq Khan has been Mayor of London, and this election will determine whether he serves for a third time. So, ahead of Thursday’s vote, here is everything you need to know about the London Mayoral Elections. 

When is the next London Mayor election? 

It’ll take place this Thursday, on May 2 2024.

How is the London mayor elected? 

Though voting used to be through a supplementary voting system, the London Mayor is now elected through a first-past-the-post voting system, much like a General Election. Simply put, the candidate with the most votes wins. 

How to vote for London Mayor?

You’ll need to head to your local polling station with a valid photo ID (see the kinds of ID that are accepted below). The ballot paper is usually pink, and this year, it’ll feature 13 candidates. You can select one (and only one) by marking their box with an [X]. 

Where is my local polling station?

If you’re registered to vote, you should have received a polling card which will have the address of your polling station. You can also check for your nearest polling station by entering your postcode here . 

What time do polling stations open? 

Polling stations will open at 7am and close at 10pm.

What documents do I need to bring to vote? 

Unlike in previous elections, you now need to take a photo ID to the polling station to vote in England, and it must be the real thing, not a photocopy.

Here is a full list of the accepted forms of ID, according to the Electoral Commission:

• Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country (including an Irish Passport Card) 
• Driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence)
• A Blue Badge
• Older Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
• Disabled Person’s Bus Pass funded by the UK Government
• 60+ London Oyster Photocard funded by Transport for London
• Freedom Pass
• Scottish National Entitlement Card issued for the purpose of concessionary travel (including a 60+, disabled or under 22s bus pass)
• 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
• Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
• Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• 60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland
• Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)
• Biometric immigration document
• Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)
• National identity card issued by an EEA state
• Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland
• Voter Authority Certificate
• Anonymous Elector’s Document

Is it too late to register to vote? 

It is now too late to register to vote for the May elections, but if you want to do so for future votes, this is the place to do it . 

Ways to vote

There are a few ways of voting: in person, by post and by proxy. 

If you’re voting in person, all you need to do is go to your local polling station (which is on your poll card) and bring a form of ID. 

If you’re voting by post, you need to have sent off your vote far enough in advance for it to arrive before polling day. You can still drop a postal vote into a polling station in person on election day. 

For voting by proxy (ie having someone else vote for you), you needed to have registered in advance (for the May 2 election, this deadline has passed). Any one person can only vote by proxy for two people in the UK – in order to vote, your proxy will need to take ID and a proxy poll card to a polling station on election day. 

How long is the term for London Mayor? 

A mayoral term in London lasts four years. 

Can a London Mayor serve three times?

Yes, and technically there are no limits on the number of times someone can run for mayor, or the number of times they can serve. If he’s successful this week, Sadiq Khan’s next term will be his third. 

Did you see that west London could soon get a massive new live music venue ?

Plus: These seven amazing London art exhibitions are closing in May . 

Stay in the loop:  sign up to our  free Time Out London newsletter  for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. 

• Liv Kelly Contributing Writer

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Is there an election near you today? Check our guide

Everything you need to know about the local and mayor ballots

How many times can a Mayor of London be re-elected and how long is a term?

The upcoming London Mayoral elections will see thousands of Londoners head to the polls.

The current Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan will be hoping to win a third time against the Conservative candidate Susan Hall and the Liberal Democrat candidate Rob Blackie to name a few.

However, before voting kicks off on May 2, there are a few key things any Londoner should know about the role of the London Mayor.

From how long a term lasts, to how many times a Mayor can be re-elected, this is what to know about the role.

On 2 May, eligible Londoners get to vote for their Assembly. The constituency London Assembly Members are elected using the First-Past-the-Post system. The pan-London Assembly Members are elected using the Additional Member system. Find out more at https://t.co/YKcyhRyQOt pic.twitter.com/gZ9rQTa19u — London Assembly (@LondonAssembly) April 16, 2024

How long can you be the Mayor of London?

The role of the Mayor of London does not have a limit on how many terms you can serve.

Since Londoners began to vote for the role in 2000, the capital has only had three Mayors.

They are: Ken Livingstone (2000-2008), Boris Johnson (2008-2016) and Sadiq Khan (2016-present).

All have served eight years, however, as there is no limit on how long a Mayor can serve, their time as Mayor could've lasted even longer.

How many times can a Mayor of London be re-elected?

As there is no limit on how long a Mayor can serve, there is also no limit on the number of times a candidate can be re-elected into the role.

That means, that if Sadiq Khan wins for the third time in the role, it would be record-breaking and see him become the longest-serving elected Mayor.

RECOMMENDED READING

Who are the candidates in London Mayoral elections 2024?

What do you need to vote in the London Mayoral Election?

Voters in local elections in England will be required to show voter ID to vote.

To vote in the Mayoral election, you will need one of the following types of photo ID to vote:

a UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional)

a driving licence issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands

a UK passport

a passport issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or a Commonwealth country

a PASS card (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme)

a Blue Badge

a biometric residence permit (BRP)

a Defence Identity Card (MOD form 90)

a national identity card issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

a Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card

a Voter Authority Certificate

an Anonymous Elector’s Document

You can also use one of the following travel passes as photo ID when you vote:

an older person’s bus pass

a disabled person’s bus pass

an Oyster 60+ card

a Freedom Pass

a Scottish National Entitlement Card (NEC)

a 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card

a Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card

a Northern Ireland concessionary travel pass

You will only need to show one form of photo ID. It needs to be the original version and not a photocopy.

You can still use your photo ID if it's out of date, as long as it looks like you.

The name on your ID should be the same name you used to register to vote.

Local elections: Everything you need to know as voters head to the polls

• local elections
• Thursday 2 May 2024 at 11:53am

Voters across England and Wales are heading to the polls on Thursday in a series of local elections.

From councils, to crime commissioners and high profile Mayors, a lot is at stake.

There are just 15 hours to make a selection, as the polling stations are to close at 10pm.

Here's what people are voting for and which form of ID is accepted at stations to allow people to vote.

What are people voting for?

Local elections will be taking place in 107 local authorities across England, the voters will be selecting over 2,500 councillors.

A total of 11 mayoral contests are also taking place, including for the London mayoralty between frontrunners, Labour incumbent Sadiq Khan and Tory challenger Susan Hall.

Conservative mayors Andy Street in the West Midlands, and Tees Valley’s Ben Houchen are also facing key re-election battles, with polls suggesting narrow contests with their Labour opponents.

There's also a special parliamentary election in Blackpool South, a long-time Labour seat that went Conservative in the last election in 2019, when Johnson won a big victory .

The results will be announced in coming days.

London's mayoral result isn't due until Saturday.

Voters will also be selecting 37 Police Crime Commissioners.

What do I need to vote?

Various forms of photographic ID in different categories will be accepted. Anyone without eligible ID can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate, here or by contacting their local council.

You will only need to show one of the following forms of photo ID. You must present the original version and not a photocopy.

Local elections 2023: Voters head to the polls in England

Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country

Driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (this includes a provisional driving licence)

A Blue Badge

Older Person’s Bus Pass

Disabled Person’s Bus Pass

Oyster 60+ Card

Freedom Pass

Scottish National Entitlement Card

60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card

Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card

Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

War Disablement SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)

Biometric immigration document

Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)

National identity card issued by an EEA state

Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland

Voter Authority Certificate

Anonymous Elector's Document

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know…

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Congestion Pricing Will Start on June 30 in New York City, M.T.A. Says

Transit officials announced the start of the program, which they have said will ease some of the nation’s worst traffic.

By Ana Ley and Winnie Hu

The first comprehensive congestion-pricing program in a major U.S. city will begin in New York on June 30, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced on Friday.

The plan remains contentious, however, and with months to go before its scheduled rollout, legal and political clashes could still dilute or stop it altogether. A growing number of opponents — including Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey, influential unions and some elected New York officials — recently ratcheted up their effort to block it.

The program is meant to ease some of the worst traffic in the nation, improve the city’s air quality, increase mass transit ridership and raise money to modernize the city’s subway, bus and commuter rail system. Congestion-pricing tolls are expected to generate $1 billion a year, with the revenue earmarked by law for capital projects, not operating costs.

The authority, which operates the mass transit system, also said on Friday that it had opened a portal for applicants seeking the program’s coveted discounts and exemptions. A website will guide drivers on who qualifies and how to apply.

Under the program, most passenger cars will be charged $15 a day to enter a so-called congestion zone below 60th Street in Manhattan. Trucks would pay $24 or $36, depending on their size. Taxi fares would increase by $1.25, and Uber and Lyft fares would rise by $2.50.

The program is widely unpopular by many measures. A survey of about 800 New Yorkers conducted this month by Siena College found that 63 percent opposed it. Still, out of more than 25,000 public comments about congestion pricing submitted to the transportation authority from late December to mid-March, roughly 60 percent expressed support, the authority said.

M.T.A. and federal transportation officials are defending it against six lawsuits in federal courts in New York and New Jersey that seek to halt the plan. The courts, which are expected to rule before the program starts, could possibly delay or block it.

“They are proceeding at their own risk in arrogant disregard of pending court cases,” said Jack L. Lester, a lawyer for a group of city residents who filed one of the suits.

This month, a federal judge in Newark heard arguments in a suit brought by New Jersey officials who argue that the congestion-pricing plan would shift traffic and pollution to some communities in the state as drivers try to avoid the tolls.

“We are awaiting a court ruling as early as next month on whether the M.T.A.’s unprecedented congestion-pricing scheme can go forward,” said Randy Mastro, a lawyer for the state of New Jersey, adding that “the jury is still out on this hugely flawed plan.”

The tolling rates, which the authority’s board approved last month , are still being reviewed by the Federal Highway Administration, which has already signed off on an exhaustive study of the program and is expected to approve the tolls.

Congestion pricing is expected to lower the number of vehicles coming into the zone by about 17 percent, according to a November report by an authority advisory committee. The report also said the program would reduce the total number of miles driven by motorists in 28 counties in the metropolitan region.

The fees are also supposed to discourage drivers from jamming roads and idling in gridlock, which contributes to soot and other harmful air pollutants. But some of the program’s harshest critics have pointed to evidence that certain neighborhoods could end up with dirtier air as a result of the traffic that is diverted. In response, the authority has vowed to work to diminish such potential harm .

Other cities that have adopted congestion-pricing programs, such as London, Singapore and Stockholm , have reported sharp drops in traffic and congestion.

David I. Weprin, a Democratic state assemblyman from Queens and a longtime congestion-pricing opponent, said of the plan that the authority was “trying to aggressively ram it down the public’s throat.”

“I don’t think the public wants it and I think it’s really unfair for people who have to drive and have no choice,” Mr. Weprin said. He has joined a lawsuit filed by Vito Fossella, a Republican and Staten Island’s borough president, and the United Federation of Teachers that seeks to keep the tolling plan from proceeding.

Danny Pearlstein, a spokesman for the Riders Alliance, an advocacy group, said in a statement that the start of the program “cannot happen soon enough.”

Congestion pricing, he said, “will be a win-win-win for all New Yorkers, commuters and visitors and will bring better public transit, cleaner air, and freer moving traffic.”

Ana Ley is a Times reporter covering New York City’s mass transit system and the millions of passengers who use it. More about Ana Ley

Winnie Hu is a Times reporter covering the people and neighborhoods of New York City. More about Winnie Hu