sefton over 60 travel pass

Merseytravel vows to continue to provide free travel passes for 60-year-olds

MERSEYTRAVEL has promised free travel passes for over 60s will continue despite national changes.

00:00, 1 APR 2010
Updated 01:22, 8 MAY 2013

English National Concessionary Travel Scheme changes will see the age at which people are entitled to free travel rise from 60 to 65 over the next ten years.

However, it will not affect the people of Merseyside.

Councillor Mark Dowd, chairman of Merseytravel, said it will continue to provide free travel on buses trains and ferries for everyone over 60 or those who meet disability criteria.

The policy was introduced 22 years ago.

He said: “The additional costs because of changes to the English national bus scheme will be negligible.”

Merseytravel have estimated it would have to provide 3,000 passes a year for those eligible and Cllr Dowd said it has provided for this cost.

He said: “They are more than compensated for by the benefits, both social and economic, brought by free travel. For example, during the summer months our trains to Southport are filled with day trippers taking advantage of concessionary travel and these visitors are spending money in the local economy.

“Free concessionary travel brings social mobility to our senior citizens and allows them to enjoy a healthier and better quality of life.”

Prospective Labour MP for Sefton Central Bill Esterson said: “I think it is great that Mersey Travel is going to keep the passes for anyone over 60 as I know how many older people love to use them to get out and about. Labour on Merseyside is absolutely committed to free travel for the elderly, which is why Cllr Mark Dowd has confirmed that Merseytravel will continue the excellent support it provides to older people.”

The issue was voted on at this month’s full Council meeting where the Conservatives abstained.

Prospective Liberal Democrat MP for Sefton Central Richard Clein criticised Tories for not voting and added: “The current Labour Government has already announced changes which will see the age at which people are entitled rising to 65 over the next 10 years. The reality is if the Tories get into power, the scheme could be scrapped altogether.”

Prospective Conservative MP for Sefton Central Debi Jones, said a paragraph in the motion about a possible Tory government that were “unfounded and pre-emptive.”

She said: “Had this paragraph been omitted as requested we would not have abstained. I admire the stance of Merseytravel on this matter. The free pass is a lifeline to a lot of our older people. It gives them independence and in a lot of cases a social life as they are able to travel to libraries and interest groups.”

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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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Voter ID advice issued to Merseytravel Over 60’s pass holders

People with a Merseytravel Over 60’s pass have been written to advising them that it is not an acceptable form of voter ID for the local elections on 4 May.

At the local elections on Thursday 4 May 2023, people must show an acceptable form of Photo ID before being given a ballot paper to vote.

The law states than an Older Person’s Bus Pass is an acceptable form of Photo ID. This is a National Concessionary Travel Pass issued when a person reaches pensionable age.

However, it is different to the Merseytravel Over 60’s pass, which people over the age of 60 can apply for.

Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton and Wirral Councils have now written to all Merseytravel Over 60’s passholders to inform them about the important distinction between the two, and included images of both passes to show the difference.

The text of the letter is below:

Local Government Elections on Merseyside

Thursday 4 May 2023

Voter ID in Polling Stations

At the local elections on Thursday 4 May 2023, if you intend to vote in person at your local polling station, you must be registered to vote, and you must now show an acceptable form of Photo ID before you are given a ballot paper to vote.

This is a new law made by UK government and applies to everyone voting in person at a polling station. These rules do not apply if you vote by post.

The law states than an Older Person’s Bus Pass is an acceptable form of Photo ID. This is a National Concessionary Travel Pass which only applies when a person reaches pensionable age.

We are aware that you have been issued with a Merseytravel Over 60’s Pass. We must inform you that this is not an acceptable form of Photo ID. More information is available overleaf.

There are other types of Photo ID that can be accepted in polling stations, which include:A 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.

A driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or an EEA state.

An identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card).

A Blue Badge.

A full list of acceptable Photo ID documents is shown on official poll cards and your council’s website.

Anyone who doesn’t have accepted Photo ID, can apply for a free Voter ID document, which is known as a Voter Authority Certificate by 25 April- https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authoritycertificate

If you would like more information about registering to vote or if you need to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate, then please contact liverpool.gov.uk/elections .

Please note that if you are a postal voter then you do not need to provide Voter ID at these elections and your postal pack will be sent to you around Friday 21 April 2023.

If you are interested in voting by post, then please contact your local council Election Office.

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Home to School Transport

The Local Authority has a statutory duty, and in appropriate circumstances discretionary powers to provide assistance with home to school travel, based on a pupil’s individual needs and circumstances.

Parent and Carers are responsible for ensuring that their children attend school regularly and on time. Most pupils in Sefton:

Walk to school accompanied, if necessary, by a parent/carer; or
Travel to school on public transport; or
Are driven to school by parents.

Wherever possible the Local Authority (LA) expects parents to make similar arrangements for children attending school.

Is my child eligible for Home to School Travel Support?

School age pupils are eligible for free home to school travel support if they:

Are attending their nearest qualifying school and meet the eligible distance criteria relevant to their age group; or
Are from a low-income family and are attending a qualifying school and meet the eligible distance criteria; or
Attend their nearest qualifying school and unable to walk or access public transport because of their Special Educational Need Disability (SEND) or mobility.

Please note that Sefton Council does not provide financial support for post-16 student travel.

We may still provide travel support to post 16 students with Special Educational Needs and/or Disability who cannot travel independently. These are assessed on an individual basis using the Post 16 Transport Policy Statement.

What is Home to School Travel Support?

Home to School Travel Support enables your child to get from home to school. The type of support is based on your child’s individual needs and with regard to the best use of the Council’s resources. This can include a travel pass, independent travel training, personal travel budget or a place on commissioned transport.

Most children eligible for Travel Support will be issued with a travel pass, some children with Special Educational Needs Disability may require a more personalised travel solution.

For more information on Independent Travel Training or Personal Travel Budgets please contact Travel Support Team [email protected]

How do I apply?

If your child has Special Educational Needs and/or Disability click HERE to apply for an assessment of eligibility.

For all other students click HERE to apply for a public transport Travel Pass

Can I appeal if I am refused travel support?

If you are refused a travel pass or travel support under the current policy, you will be offered the right of appeal against the decision. This will be included with any refusal letter you receive.

SEND Travel Support Application Deadline for September 2024

If your child or young person already receives travel support and moving to a new school at the start of the new academic year, you must re-apply for travel assistance by 23 May 2024.
The final date for all other applications (new and in year transfers) is 7 June 2024 .
Applications received between 8 June and 15 July will be processed in date order, but we do not guarantee travel arrangements will be in place for September 2024 and parent/carers should make alternative travel arrangements until support from the Local Authority has commenced.
Applications received after 15 July 2024 will not be processed until the assessment panel reconvenes on 7 October 2024 and parent/carers must make alternative travel arrangements until support from the Local Authority has commenced.

Mainstream Travel Support (Travel Pass) Application Deadline September 2024

The Travel Pass application deadline is 7 th June 2024.

Who to contact

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Free and discounted travel for over 60s

Apply for a concessionary travel pass for free bus and free train travel on certain routes. You can also get train tickets at reduced prices.

With a Senior Railcard you can get 1/3 off rail fares to travel across Britain. Visit senior-railcard.co.uk to see how you can apply and how much you could save.

You're entitled to a Concessionary Travel Card if you're at least 60 years old and your primary residence is in Wales.

You're entitled to a Concessionary Travel Card if you are an eligible disabled person and your primary residence is in Wales.

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