General Chat

Have those of you that have free bus passes, please advise me if we are sent renewal papers to get a new pass. I have just noticed my pass runs out tomorrow and I have not heard from local council. Perhaps I am supposed to contact them - oh eck!

Many thanks
Tina x

Dear Tina

I think they are supposed to contact you a couple of weeks beforehand.

However, this varies from area to area.

Try and contact them asap to get your pass.

I suppose the council is trying to cut down on paperwork.

This doesn't help people who need their bus passes.


Best wishes

I was contacted by my authority a couple of weeks before it was due for renewal. Some passes are auto renewed depending on your circumstances and reason for your qualification for the pass. Otherwise you should get a letter advising you that your pass is coming due for renewal. I would suggest that, if you haven't heard from them by now, you need to give them a call.

I am using my pass still which ran out on 20th April but I know there is no question about reuqalifying. Even though I applied weeks ago, the hold up has been my sometimes hopeless GP practice not signing the form and sending it off.

Hope this is helpful,
Lyn x

Thank you Elizabeth, that is what I thought that they should contact me.

I have not heard anything and had completely forgotten until just now. I have sent local council an urgent email, but will ring them too in the morning.

:))

Tina x

Thank you Lyn. I qualify for a pass on medical grounds. I am hoping I too will be able to still use my pass when it is out of date. I shall just have to tell the bus driver "its in the post" lol

Tina x

Hi Tina ,
I have a free bus pass as well
and i have just looked to see if and when
mine runs out but there is no date on mine at all , just my
name and a serial number . i'm in north wales
dont know if its different in England .
Hazelx

Hazel, Thats interesting. Mine has a definate date of expiry lol. Wonder if thats because I am not a senior citizen but have a pass on medical grounds?

Mmmm!

Tina x

Hi Tina ,
i got my bus pass before i was 65
on medical grounds as well

Looks like there is a different system in place in Wales then. Tsk! LOL
Tina x

EDIT : Look for housing and move to Wales! lol

LOL Tina

Thank you Claire.

I shall be ringing up first thing tomorrow morning. I will let you all know how I get on.

Good Nite :))

Tina xxx

clairejo ,
when i got my bus pass i'm almost sure
that i was told it would be for life .....
but i will inquire next time i'm in town ..
and see what they say lol
Hazelx

In London the Freedom pass lasts for 2 years, then you fill out a form and The Post Office puts a new sticker on anyone 60 and over is eligible
James

We had ours last year and they expire in 2013

I got mine last year months after I was 60 in 2007 and mine runs out in 2012

Lizx

I AM LIVID

Have telephoned Bristol City Council and they do not send out renewals we have to apply for a new card when it expires. This can take FOUR WEEKS and no I cannot use the card in the meantime.

I thought these cards are ALL ENGLAND Concessionary cards so why on earth have different councils got different ideas as it was annonced in the 2006 Government Budget.

ARRGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Didn't realise my pass would expire until I did!!

Have just checked and it does 31st March 2013 - and in very large print so I really must learn to be more observant.

Kathleen

Mine is done by downloading form and going to post office

Hi Tina,
i have just phoned up the council to ask if
my bus pass has to be renewed at all
the lady said no it's valid until i die .
i dont have to renew .
Hazelx

Our local Council recently changed the times of use so we can't use ours till 9.30 am - before it was 8.30am so it means anyone needing to get to the hospital which was moved to the outskirts of Norwich a few years back, from the city centre and needs two buses for most people, would have to pay to get to an early appointment! It's because they say it's costing too much, but they can afford to pay several various housing managers around £50,000 a year - can't see what they do to earn it, in fact one got sacked and others have left because some of them moved into cheap housing which was left empty after they persuaded the old folk to move into different sheltered housing accommodation on the grounds their homes were to be demolished and other housing built on the site. It's still there, but at least the cheapskate council staff have had to move out, they were paying tiny rents and them earning all those thousands, scandalous!

Lizx