The national bus pass gives eligible users free off-peak travel
on local buses anywhere in England and, if you are a Suffolk
Coastal resident, you also get free peak time travel across
Suffolk.
How can I use the new national bus pass?
The national bus pass entitles you to free off-peak travel
throughout England on virtually all local registered and scheduled
bus services available to the general public (but not on express
coach services or private excursions). If in doubt you can check
with the bus operator. There is no limit on the number of journeys
you can make - you can travel as far and as often as you like.
Off-peak hours are 9.30am until 11pm, Monday to Friday and all
day weekends and bank holidays. Do not forget though, if
you are a Suffolk Coastal resident travelling within Suffolk you
can travel free, all day, everyday!
Your bus pass is also valid on
Ipswich Park & Ride (new window). Simply
show your pass to the driver on the bus when you get your ticket.
All we ask is that everyone travelling together on the ticket are
pass holders - we are not able to offer free travel to people who
are not entitled to it.
Am I eligible for a bus pass?
To be eligible for a national bus pass from Suffolk Coastal you
must permanently reside in the Suffolk Coastal district and be aged
60 before 6 April 2010 (see below about changes to the State
Pension age) or have a qualifying disability. The bus pass is
issued free to all eligible residents who apply.
Eligibility for a bus pass (based on age) is tied to the State
Pension age - the earliest age at which you can claim your State
Pension. If you were born before 6 April 1950, you are eligible for
a bus pass from your 60th birthday.
However, if you were born after 5 April 1950, you will need to
check. The State Pension age for women is changing. This means that
the age at which both men and women become eligible for a bus pass
is changing too.
To check at what age you become eligible, enter your sex and
date of birth into the State Pension age calculator on the
Directgov website by following the link below:
If you have a disability, you qualify for a bus pass if you:
- are registered blind or partially sighted;
- are registered profoundly or severely deaf;
- are without speech;
- suffer from a permanent disability which seriously impairs you
ability to walk;
- are without the use of both arms;
- have a learning disability;
- are prohibited from driving a motor vehicle on
medical grounds.
You can contact us on 01394 444647 or email
concessionary.fares@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk
to check whether or not you are eligible for a bus pass. If
you have a minicom you can contact us on
01394 444211.
Please note that if you apply for a bus pass you will not be
eligible for a discounted
Senior Railcard or
Disabled Persons Railcard as well because the
Council's scheme only allows eligible people to have one
concession at a time from the Council. However, you would still
be able to apply for a Senior Railcard or Disabled Persons
Railcard direct with National Rail.
How do I apply?
Select the link below to get a bus pass application form which
you can then print off and complete. Follow this link for
help with
downloading and opening PDF files.
Please sign your completed application form and send it with
proof of your age (a photocopy of your driving licence, passport or
birth certificate for example) or disability (photocopies are
acceptable) and a passport size colour photograph of
yourself to the address below. We aim to send your bus
pass to you within 7 days, as long as you have supplied all
the documentation required.
Concessionary Fares
Suffolk Coastal District Council
Melton Hill
Woodbridge
Suffolk
IP12 1AU
You can also apply in person at our Woodbridge
and Felixstowe offices. Follow this link for
directions to our offices and our office
hours.
If you need any help and advice you can contact our
Customer Services team on 01394 444647 or email
concessionary.fares@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk.
If you have a minicom you can contact us on
01394 444211.
What if I lose my pass?
If you lose your bus pass we can issue you with a
replacement. We will ask you to pay £5 to cover the cost of
replacing the pass. Select the link below to get a replacement pass
application form which you can then print off and complete. Follow
this link for help with downloading and opening PDF files.
Public transport and journey planning information
You will find lots of useful information about public transport
and websites that can help with journey planning on our
transport and travel links
page.