For older people andpeople who have adisability

TravelPasses

Introduction

Passes for older people

How to apply for your first Merseytravel Local Travel Pass

How to apply for your first Merseytravel National Travel Pass

Ready reckoner

Passes for people with disabilities

Category A - Blind or partially sighted

Category B - Profoundly or severely deaf

Category C - Without speech

Category D - Disability or injury which has a substantial effect on your ability to walk

Category E - Does not have arms or has long-term loss of the use of both arms

Category F - Learning disability

Category G1 - Would be refused a licence to drive a motor vehicle because of medical fitness

Category G2 - Would be refused a licence to drive a motor vehicle because of severe mental disorder

Other services for people with a disability

What to do:- if you change your name or address- if you lose your pass- if your pass is damaged- if your pass is stolen- if your pass is not scanning

Merseytravel Centre addresses

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IntroductionWe offer free travel on buses, trains and Mersey Ferriesif you live in Merseyside and:

• you are aged 60 or over; or• you have certain disabilities.

This booklet gives details of our scheme and how to apply.

If you are not sure if you are entitled to a travel passor you have any other questions, please contact us.

Concessions Customer Delivery TeamMerseytravel, PO Box 1976Liverpool, L69 3HN

Phone: 0151 236 6056email: concession@merseytravel.gov.uk

Website: www.merseytravel.gov.uk

Your personal data will be used by Merseytravel and other government and partner

agencies to administer the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme in

accordance with UK data protection legislation. Any information held will not ordinarily

be disclosed to third parties that do not form part of the administration of the scheme.

At our discretion, we may disclose personal data in response to valid requests from the

police and other law enforcement bodies which includes partner and government

agencies. This is permitted by the Data Protection Act 1998. We may also disclose

personal data if required to do so by law.

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Passes for older people We still offer free local travel onbuses, trains and Mersey Ferrieswithin Merseyside to everyoneaged 60 and over living inMerseyside.

The Government has announcedthat the age at which you become eligible for a freeNational Travel Pass will increase gradually over thenext few years and you will no longer receive your passon your 60th birthday.

So if you live in Merseyside you can have aMerseytravel Local Travel Pass from your

60th birthday.

We will replace your local pass with a national passonce you become eligible(see pages 13 – 14 to findout when that will be).

We will also write to youwhen your National TravelPass needs to be renewed.

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Passes for older people

Where to goYou can apply at:

• A Merseytravel Centre (see pages 26 and 27 foraddresses).

• By post - to do this you must send a copy of yourphotographic identification, either passport or photocard driving licence. If you do not have photographicidentification, we will not be able to process yourapplication by post and you will need to go to yourlocal Merseytravel centre to continue with yourapplication.

When to go• You can apply for a Merseytravel Local Travel Pass upto three months before your 60th birthday but wewill not send it to you until you are 60.

• If you would like to receive your pass in time foryour 60th birthday, please apply at least two weeksbefore the date of your 60th birthday.

• When you become eligible for a MerseytravelNational Travel Pass we will send it to youautomatically. You do not have to apply again butplease make sure you let us know if you havechanged your address or there may be a delay inreceiving your pass.

• If you want to know when you will receive yourNational Travel Pass, please check the ready reckoner on pages 13 – 14.

How to apply for your FirstMerseytravel Local Travel Pass

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What to take• A suitable passport-sized colour photograph of yourself,which must have been taken within the last 12 months.Please make sure you write your name and date of birthclearly on the back of your photograph.

• Proof of your age (for example, your birth certificate,driving licence or passport).

• Proof that your address is in Merseyside (for example, a recent council tax bill, gas, electricity or water bill,driving licence, bank or building society statement,official tenancy agreement or letter from theDepartment for Work and Pensions).

• If you are applying by post you must include a copy ofyour photographic identification, either a passport orphoto card driving licence.

What to do• Fill in the application form.• The Merseytravel centre will check and process your application.

• Or alternatively you can send your completed application form along with a suitable passport-sized colour photograph, a copy of your photographic identification - either passport or photo card driving licence, and a recent utility bill, and send to:Concessions Customer Delivery Team, MerseytravelPO Box 1976 Liverpool L69 3HN

Passes for older peopleHow to apply for your first

Merseytravel Local Travel Pass (continued)

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Please note, if you do not include a copy of yourphotographic identification, then your applicationcannot be processed and will be returned to you, andwill delay you receiving your concessionary pass.

• The Merseytravel Centre will check your detailsand issue your Local Travel Pass if you are eligible.

• Your Merseytravel Local Travel Pass will be validuntil you become eligible for a MerseytravelNational Travel Pass.

Where can I use the Merseytravel Local Travel Pass? • On most buses in Merseyside. You cannot use it on buses outside Merseyside.

• On the Merseyrail network as far as Chester,Ellesmere Port and Ormskirk.

• On the Mersey Ferries (not River Explorer orSpecial Cruises).

When can I use my Merseytravel Local Travel Pass?• All day on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.• Any time Monday to Friday, except for journeyswhich start between 6.31am and 9.29am.

How do I use my Merseytravel Local Travel Pass?• You will need to place your pass on the card reader on board the bus or at the rail gate every time you make a journey.

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You can use your Merseytravel Local TravelPass for older people on most buses, trainsand Mersey Ferries in Merseyside only.

Passes for older peopleWhere you can use your

Merseytravel Local Travel Pass

(For trains, you can use your Merseytravel Local Travel Pass as far as Ormskirk,

Chester and Ellesmere Port only.)

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Passes for older people

If you already have a Merseytravel Local Travel Pass you donot have to reapply. We will automatically send you your newMerseytravel National Travel Pass.

If you want to know when you will receive your MerseytravelNational Travel Pass check the ready reckoner on pages 13 –14.

Make sure that you have told us if you have changed yourname and address.

If you do not already have a Merseytravel Local Travel Passbut have reached the age at which you are eligible for aMerseytravel National Travel Pass (check the ready reckoneron pages 13 – 14), follow the procedure below.

Where to go

• A Merseytravel Centre (see pages 26 and 27 foraddresses).

• By post - to do this you must send a copy of yourphotographic identification, either passport or photocard driving licence. If you do not have photographicidentification, we will not be able to process yourapplication by post and you will need to go to yourlocal Merseytravel centre to continue with yourapplication.

When to go

• You can apply for a Merseytravel National Travel Passup to three months before you become eligible.

• If you want to know when this will be, please checkthe ready reckoner on pages 13 – 14.

How to apply for your firstMerseytravel National Travel Pass

What to take

• A suitable passport-sized colour photograph of yourself,which must have been taken within the last 12 months. Pleasemake sure you write your name clearly on the back of yourphotograph.

• Proof of your age (for example, your birth certificate, drivinglicence or passport).

• Proof that your address is in Merseyside (for example, a recentcouncil tax bill, gas, electricity or water bill, driving licence,bank or building society statement, official tenancyagreement or letter from the Department for Work andPensions).

• If you are applying by post you must include a copy of your photographic identification, either a passport or photo card driving licence.

What to do

• Fill in the application form.

• The Merseytravel Centre will check and process yourapplication.

• Or alternatively you can send your completed application form along with a suitable passport-sized colour photograph, a copy of your photographic identification - either passport or photo card driving licence, and a recent utility bill, and send to:

Concessions Customer Delivery Team, Merseytravel PO Box 1976 Liverpool L69 3HN

Please note, if you do not include a copy of your photographicidentification, then your application cannot be processed and will bereturned to you, and will delay you receiving your concessionary pass.

• We will post your Merseytravel National Pass to the addressyou have put on your form.

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Where and when can I use my Merseytravel National TravelPass for older people?

You can use your pass on local bus services, local train services(as far as Ormskirk, Chester and Ellesmere Port) and ferryservices in Merseyside at the following times.

• Any time Mondays to Friday, except journeys startingbetween 6.31am and 9.29am.

• All day Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.

You can also use your pass on local buses anywhere in Englandat the following times.

• Mondays to Fridays 9.30am to 11pm.

• Any time Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.

England

In the rest of England you can travel on

Local buses only on Monday to Fridays from

9.30am to 11pm and anytime on Saturdays

Sundays and Bank Holidays.

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How do I use my Merseytravel National Travel Pass for older people?

• You will need to place your pass on the card reader on board the bus or at the rail gate every time you make a journey.

Ready ReckonerChanges to the age you become eligible for a National Concessionary Travel Pass

Since 6 April 2010 the age at which you become eligiblefor a National Travel Pass increased and is now nolonger on your 60th birthday.Please check the following pages to find out when youbecome eligible for free travel.If your 60th birthday is between 6 October 2014 and 5 April 2028 you will become eligible on your 66thbirthday. You may apply for your pass up to three months beforethat date but we will not send your pass to you untilthe date you become eligible.If you are aged 60 or over and live in Merseyside butare not yet eligible for a National Travel Pass you canapply for a Local Travel Pass. See page 5 for details.

There is also an electronic ready reckoner at: www.gov.uk/calculate-state-pension. This will tell you when youreach State Pension age, and the date from which you will qualifyfor a National Travel Pass (elderly person’s bus pass).

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If you were born in 1952

and your birthday is between you will become eligible on

1 January 1952 and 5 January 1952 6 September 20136 January 1952 and 5 February 1952 6 November 20136 February 1952 and 5 March 1952 6 January 20146 March 1952 and 5 April 1952 6 March 20146 April 1952 and 5 May 1952 6 May 20146 May 1952 and 5 June 1952 6 July 20146 June 1952 and 5 July 1952 6 September 20146 July 1952 and 5 August 1952 6 November 20146 August 1952 and 5 September 1952 6 January 20156 September 1952 and 5 October 1952 6 March 20156 October 1952 and 5 November 1952 6 May 20156 November 1952 and 5 December 1952 6 July 20156 December 1952 and 31 December 1952 6 September 2015

If you were born in 1951and your birthday is between you will become

eligible on

1 January 1951 and 5 January 1951 6 September 20116 January 1951 and 5 February 1951 6 November 20116 February 1951 and 5 March 1951 6 January 20126 March 1951 and 5 April 1951 6 March 20126 April 1951 and 5 May 1951 6 May 20126 May 1951 and 5 June 1951 6 July 20126 June 1951 and 5 July 1951 6 September 20126 July 1951 and 5 August 1951 6 November 20126 August 1951 and 5 September 1951 6 January 20136 September 1951 and 5 October 1951 6 March 20136 October 1951 and 5 November 1951 6 May 20136 November 1951 and 5 December 1951 6 July 20136 December 1951 and 31 December 1951 6 September 2013

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If you were born in 1953

and your birthday is between you will become eligible on

1 January 1953 and 5 January 1953 6 September 20156 January 1953 and 5 February 1953 6 November 20156 February 1953 and 5 March 1953 6 January 20166 March 1953 and 5 April 1953 6 March 20166 April 1953 and 5 May 1953 6 July 20166 May 1953 and 5 June 1953 6 November 20166 June 1953 and 5 July 1953 6 March 20176 July 1953 and 5 August 1953 6 July 20176 August 1953 and 5 September 1953 6 November 20176 September 1953 and 5 October 1953 6 March 20186 October 1953 and 5 November 1953 6 July 20186 November 1953 and 5 December 1953 6 November 20186 December 1953 and 31 December 1953 6 March 2019

If you were born in 1954

and your birthday is between you will become eligible on

1 January 1954 and 5 January 1954 6 March 20196 January 1954 and 5 February 1954 6 May 20196 February 1954 and 5 March 1954 6 July 20196 March 1954 and 5 April 1954 6 September 20196 April 1954 and 5 May 1954 6 November 20196 May 1954 and 5 June 1954 6 January 20206 June 1954 and 5 July 1954 6 March 20206 July 1954 and 5 August 1954 6 May 20206 August 1954 and 5 September 1954 6 July 20206 September 1954 and 5 October 1954 6 September 2020

If you were born between 6 October 1954 and 5 April1968, you will become eligible on your 66th birthday.

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Passes for people with disabilitiesYou may qualify for a Merseytravel National Travel Pass if you meet the conditions of any of the seven categoriesof disability defined in the Transport Act 2000.The seven categories of disability are listed on page 2 andthe disability must be long-lasting (expected to last at least12 months) or permanent.

Where can I use a pass?• On local buses anywhere in England.• On most buses, trains and Mersey Ferries inMerseyside.

• On trains beyond the Merseyside boundary as faras Chester, Ellesmere Port and Ormskirk.

When can I use a pass?All day, every day within Merseyside. You can use the pass on local buses anywhere in Englandat the following times.

• Mondays to Fridays 9.30am to 11pm.• Any time Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.

How do I use a pass?• You will need to place your pass on the card reader on board the bus or at the rail gate every time you make a journey.

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Category A – Blind or partially sighted

Category B – Profoundly or severelydeaf

Category C – Without speech

Category D – Disability or injury whichhas a substantial effect onyour ability to walk

Category E – Does not have arms or haslong-term loss of the useof both arms

What to doYou will need to get an application form.• You can pick up a form from any Merseytravel Centre

(the addresses are on pages 26 and 27); or• You can contact the Concessions Customer Delivery

Team (the contact details are on page 27) and we willpost a form to you; or

• You can download a form from www.merseytravel.gov.uk/tickets/concessions

If you have any of the disabilities listed above,please follow the procedure below to applyfor your first disabled person's travel pass.

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Where to go• A Merseytravel Centre (see pages 26 and 27 for

addresses and opening times).• Please fill in all of the application form and provide

any supporting information which gives details of yourdisability (as set out in the table on page 18 and 19).

• Either send your application form to us or take it to aMerseytravel Centre, together with the information tosupport your application

• If you do not have any of the documents listed onpage 18 and 19, you will need to complete a different,more detailed application form. Please contact theConcessions Customer Delivery Team (the contactdetails are on page 27) and we will post a form to you.

• If we approve your application, we will write to you oremail you giving you details of how to get your pass.We may write to you and ask for more details aboutyour disability.

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Proof that you are eligible (a) If you are blind or partially sighted, please send us

one of following:• A copy of your certificate of visual impairment

(CVI); or• A copy of your registration card issued by thevisual impairment team or confirmation of yourregistration on letter headed paper; or

• A copy of a letter from an eye specialist (forexample an optometrist) confirming that youwould qualify to be registered as blind or partiallysighted.

(b) If you are profoundly or severely deaf, please sendus one of the following:• Confirmation that you are registered with yourlocal authority social services department as beingprofoundly or severely deaf; or

• A copy of an audiological report stating yourhearing levels or confirmation from anaudiologist specialist confirming that you areprofoundly or severely deaf in your better earwith an average of the key speech frequencies(0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz) being at 70 dB or greater.

(c) If you are without speech, please send us one of thefollowing:• A copy of a letter from the Department of Workand Pensions (DWP) confirming you receivePersonal Independence Payment (PIP) at anenhanced rate with a score of at least eightpoints for the “communicating verbally” activity;or

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• A copy of medical evidence (signed, dated and onletter headed paper) confirming that you arewithout speech.Note: speech which is slow or difficult tounderstand due to an accent or a stammer wouldnot qualify.

(d) If you have a disability or have suffered an injurywhich has a substantial and long term adverseeffect on your ability to walk, please send us one ofthe following:• A copy of a letter from the Department of Workand Pensions (DWP) confirming that you receivethe Higher Rate Mobility Component of DisabilityLiving Allowance (DLA); or

• A copy of a letter from the Department of Workand Pensions (DWP) confirming that you receivePersonal Independence Payment(PIP) with a scoreof at least eight points for the “Moving around”activity; or

• A copy of a letter from the Service Personnel &Veterans Agency (SPVA) confirming that youreceive War Pensions Mobility Supplement(WPMS); or

• If you have been issued with a Disabilities Persons’Parking (Blue Badge) in your name, please send usa copy of the Blue Badge.

(e) If you do not have arms or you have long-term lossof the use of both of your arms, please send us:• A copy of a letter (signed, dated and on letterheaded paper) from your doctor (GeneralPractitioner (GP)) or medical specialist to confirmthat you do not have arms or you have long-termloss of the use of both arms.

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Category F – Learning disability

What to do• You will need to get an application form.

• Please fill in all of the application form and provideany supporting information which gives details ofyour disability (as set out in Section 1 of theapplication form).

• Take your application form, together with anysupporting information, to your GP or otherspecialist, as shown in the ‘What to do next’ sectionof the application form.

• If there are any charges in connection with yourapplication, you will have to pay these.

• If we approve your application, we will write to youor email you giving you details of how to get yourpass. If we need more details, we may write to youand ask you to attend an independent assessment.

To apply for your first disabled person’stravel pass if you have a learning disability,

please follow the procedure below.

• You can pick up a form from any MerseytravelCentre (the addresses are on pages 26 and 27);

• You can contact the Concessions Customer Deliveryteam (the contact details are on page 27);

• You can download a form fromwww.merseytravel.gov.uk/tickets/concessions

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Category G1 – Would be refused alicence to drive a motor vehiclebecause of medical fitnessImportant notes

• If you currently have either a provisional or fulldriving licence you will not be eligible to applyunder this category. unless your licence is revokedon medical grounds.

• You must be aged 16 or over to apply for a travelpass in this category.

• You will not be eligible if you would be refused alicence to drive solely on the basis of persistentmisuse of drugs or alcohol.

• There are a number of conditions which maymake you eligible for a pass. These include:(a) epilepsy (unless it is a type of epilepsy which

does not pose a danger if you drive);(b) sudden attacks of dizziness or fainting;(c) established pre-senile dementia conditions

(including Alzheimer’s); and(d)any other disability which would cause

you to be a danger to yourself or others when driving.

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What to do• You will need to get an application form.

• Take your filled-in application form to your GP,who must confirm that you have the condition or disability you have stated on the application form.

• If there are any charges in connection with yourapplication, you will have to pay these.

• If we approve your application, we will write toyou or email you giving you details of how to getyour pass. We may write to you and ask you formore details about your medical condition.

Category G2 – Would be refused a licence to drive a motor vehiclebecause of a severe mental disorderImportant notes

• If you currently have either a provisional or fulldriving licence you will not be eligible to applyunder this category. unless your licence is revokedon medical grounds.

How to apply for your disabled person’s travelpass if you would be refused a licence to drivea motor vehicle because of medical fitness

• You can pick up a form from any Merseytravel Centre (the addresses are on pages 26 and 27); or

• You can contact the Concessions Customer DeliveryTeam (the contact details are on page 27) and wewill post a form to you; or

• You can download a form from www.merseytravel.gov.uk/tickets/concessions

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To apply for a disabled person’s travel pass ifyou would be refused a licence to drive amotor vehicle because of a severe mental

disorder, please follow the procedure below.

What to do• You will need to get an application form.

• Take your filled-in application form to yourconsultant or GP who will provide theinformation we need about your condition. Yourconsultant or GP must fill in and stamp sectionthree of the form before we can deal with yourapplication.Ask them to return the filled-in form to theConcessions Customer Delivery Team (the addressis on page 27).

• If there are any charges in connection with yourapplication, you will have to pay these.

• We will write to you or email you to let youknow whether you are eligible for a travel passand how to get your pass.

• You must be aged 16 or over to apply for a travelpass in this category.

• You will not be eligible if your condition is due tothe persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol.

• You can pick up a form from any Merseytravel Centre (the addresses are on pages 26 and 27); or

• You can contact the Concessions CustomerDelivery Team (the contact details are on page 27)and we will post a form to you; or

• You can download a form from www.merseytravel.gov.uk/tickets/concessions

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Other services for people with a disability

• Merseylink is a dial-a-ride service for people whoare unable to use regular public transport. For more information phone Merseylink on 0151 330 1661.

• You might be entitled to Tunnel concessions forfree journeys through Mersey Tunnels. For more information contact Mersey Tunnels on 0151 330 1702.

• If you need it, we can give you information abouttravel passes in other languages or in otherformats (such as in large print, in Braille or onaudio CD). Ring Concession Customer DeliveryTeam on 0151 236 6056.

If you change address• You can post in a copy of proof of your newaddress.

• Email us at concession@merseytravel.gov.uk withproof of your new address.

• Visit one of our Merseytravel Centres with a copyof your new address.

• We will accept one of the following: a recentcouncil tax bill, gas, electricity or water bill,driving licence, bank or building societystatement, official tenancy agreement or letterfrom the Department for Work and Pensions.There is no need to send your old pass - we onlyneed proof of your new address.

Please send photocopies, not the original documents.Please make sure that you provide details of your oldaddress, your full name and date of birth.

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If you change your name• If you change your name you must take your pass and proof of your new name to a Merseytravel Centre. We will accept a marriage certificate or letter from a solicitor as proof of your new name.

• If you prefer, you can let us know about a changein your name by posting your pass and the proofthat you need to show us direct to theConcessions Customer Delivery Team (the addressis on page 27). Please send photocopies, not theoriginal documents.

• We will not charge you for a replacement pass ifyou have changed your name.

If you lose your pass• Let us know immediately by calling us on 0151236 6056 (between 8am and 8pm everyday exceptChristmas Day) or visiting one of our MerseytravelCentres (see the addresses on pages 26 and 27).

• We will charge you to replace a lost pass • If you find your pass after requesting a replacement pass, the charge cannot be refunded.

• We will post your replacement pass to the addresswe have on file. Your pass should arrive withinfive to seven working days.

If your pass is damaged• Let us know immediately by calling us on 0151236 6056 (between 8am and 8pm everyday exceptChristmas Day) or visiting one of our MerseytravelCentres (see the addresses on pages 26 and 27).

• We will charge you to replace a damaged pass.

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Merseytravel Centres

Birkenhead Travel CentreBirkenhead Bus StationClaughton RoadBirkenheadCH41 6RT

Bootle Travel CentreBootle Bus StationWashington ParadeBootleL20 4RE

If your pass is stolen• Let us know immediately by calling us on 0151236 6056 (between 8am and 8pm everyday exceptChristmas Day) or visiting one of our MerseytravelCentres (see the addresses on pages 26 and 27).

• We will not charge you to replace a stolen pass if you have a police crime reference number.

• We will post your replacement pass to the addresswe have on file. Your pass should arrive within 5 working days.

If your pass is not scanning• Let us know if your pass is not scanning on board buses or at rail gates.

• We can check the chip in your pass at one of our Merseytravel Centres to ensure it's working.

• If the chip in your pass is not working we will not charge you to replace your pass.

• We will post your replacement pass to the addresswe have on file. Your pass should arrive within 5 working days.

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Please check our website for opening timeswww.merseytravel.gov.uk/travelcentres

Huyton Travel CentreHuyton Bus StationHuyton Hey RoadHuytonL36 5SB

Liverpool ONE Bus Station1 Canning PlaceLiverpool L1 8LBQueen Square Travel CentreQueen Square, LiverpoolL1 1RG

St Helens Travel CentreSt Helens Bus StationBickerstaff Street, St HelensWA10 1DH

For postal and telephone enquiries only:Concessions Customer Delivery TeamMerseytravelPO Box 1976Liverpool L69 3HNPhone: 0151 236 6056Minicom: 0151 330 1270You can contact the team by phone between 8.30am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

If you are not sure if you are entitled to a travel pass or if you have any other questions, please contact:Merseytravel PO Box 1976 Liverpool L69 3HN

Phone: 0151 236 6056email: concession@merseytravel.gov.uk

We can provide this information in otherformats and languages if you ask. LS346 JAN 2016