The new national bus pass
The new 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 new 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 or over or have a qualifying disability. The bus
pass is issued free to all eligible residents who apply.
If you are under 60 and 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 are hearing impaired and have a minicom device
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 or disability and a passport size colour
photograph of yourself to the address below. We aim to send
your Suffolk Saver 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 are hearing impaired and have a minicom
device 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 information and journey planning
Traveline East Anglia provides journey planning information
about all public transport services - buses, coaches, trains and
ferries, throughout Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire. You can
call Traveline East Anglia on 0870 606 2
608 or go to
the Traveline East Anglia website (new window) for
online travel information and journey planning.
You will find more
travel information websites on our useful links
page.