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Concessionary travel
As an older person there are many ways in which you can take advantage of concessionary travel in Tyne and Wear and across the country.
The Elders Council of Newcastle's Transport and Highways Working Group has produced a document called Summer Outings in 2010 with a Concessionary Travel Pass which gives ideas for day trips and outings which you can take using your concessionary travel pass. Download it here, or contact Christine on telephone number 0191 233 0200 to be sent a copy.
From 1 April 2008 people aged 60 years old and over and disabled passengers have been entitled to free local ‘concessionary’ off-peak bus travel anywhere in England.
From 6 April 2010, the age of eligibility for concessionary travel in England will be tied to the pensionable age for women. As the pensionable age for women gradually increases from 60 to 65 over the ten-year period from 2010 to 2020, so too will the age of eligibility for concessionary travel increase for both men and women. The age of eligibility for concessionary travel for those turning 60 after 6 April 2010 is therefore:
• For women - pensionable age
• For men - pensionable age of a woman born on the same dayBy 2020 the pensionable age for men and women will have harmonised at 65. Beyond 2020, the age of eligibility for concessionary travel will continue to increase in line with any future changes to the State Pension age.
The changes to the age of eligibility will not impact on anyone already in possession of, or entitled to, a concessionary travel pass. The eligibility of disabled people is unaffected by this change.
That means that cardholders can enjoy all of the benefits of the current concessionary travel scheme within Tyne and Wear, but with the added freedom to travel anywhere in the country using local buses. For further information, see the Nexus website or contact Nexus on telephone number 0191 203 3434.
Go North East buses travel to numerous popular destinations around the region including the seafronts of North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Durham, Rothbury and Middlesbrough. For full details of all Go North East bus services, visit the Go North East website or call their dedicated customer services team on telephone number0845 60 60 260.
If you don’t hold a current pass you need to apply through a Nexus Travelshop. There is no charge for a pass. To locate your nearest Travelshop click here.
If you think that you have lost your bus pass whilst using public transport, contact the appropriate bus operator (either Arriva, Go North East or Stagecoach) using the details given below. If you are unsure which operator’s service you were using, call Traveline on telephone number 0871 200 22 33.
If the bus operator has not found your pass, you will need to complete a new application form. A replacement Concessionary Travel Pass costs £5.
You will need to take the following to your nearest Nexus TravelShop:
- a completed application form;
- a stamped self-addressed envelope; and
- a £5 cheque or postal order made payable to Nexus (you can pay by cash if you are handing it in at a Nexus TravelShop).
If you can't call into a Nexus TravelShop in person, you can send the above to Nexus using the details given below.
Nexus will post the replacement bus pass out to you. In the meantime, you will need to pay full price for your bus fares.
Tyne and Wear Metro
Travel on the Metro and the local rail service from Newcastle to Sunderland will cost you just £12 for the whole year if you have a Gold Card. With a Gold Card you can travel from 9.30am on Mondays to Fridays and all day at weekends, Bank Holidays and during July and August. Gold Card application forms are available from Nexus TravelShops. There will be no discounted fares on the Metro for concessionary pass holders if you don't have a Gold Card.
If you lose your Metro Gold Card, you will need to complete a new application form. A replacement Gold Card costs £5.
You will need the take the following to your nearest Nexus TravelShop:
- a completed application form;
- a stamped self-addressed envelope; and
- a £5 cheque or postal order made payable to Nexus (you can pay by cash if you are handing it in at a Nexus TravelShop).
If you can't call into a Nexus TravelShop in person, you can send the above to Nexus using the details given below.
Nexus will post the replacement Gold Card out to you. In the meantime, you will need to pay full price for your Metro fares.
Ferry and other local rail services
Travel on the railway line between Newcastle and the Metrocentre/Blaydon and the Shields Ferry will cost you 50p. Holders of red passes can travel for this fare all day; green passholders can travel from 9.30am, Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and Bank Holidays.
For further information about concessionary ferry fares contact Nexus using the details given below, or visit their website.
Senior Railcard
The Senior Railcard is available to anyone aged 60 years old or over and costs £26 for one year. It will save you 1/3 of the cost of most rail fares to almost anywhere in Great Britain, including certain fares on various rail/sea journeys.
To apply, you can get an application form from railway station ticket offices or rail appointed travel agents. The completed form needs to be handed in together with proof of your age, such as your Birth Certificate, Passport or Driving Licence.
You can also purchase a Senior Railcard by calling National Rail Enquiries on telephone number 08457 48 49 50 (local call rate) and paying by credit or debit card. You will need proof of your age/identity, so have your Birth Certificate, Passport or Driving Licence to hand when you call. Alternatively, you can order a Senior Railcard online from the Senior Railcard website. You can't apply for a Senior Railcard by post.
Some time restrictions do apply on weekdays. It's best to check with ticket office staff before buying your ticket.
As well as making savings on rail fares, the Senior Railcard also entitles you to other special offers, such as on London theatre tickets. For more information, see the Senior Railcard website.
You can also buy a Senior Railcard for travel within Europe. For more information, call Rail Europe on telephone number 08705 848 848.
Disabled Person's Railcard
If you have a disability that makes travelling by train difficult, you may qualify for the Disabled Person's Railcard. The Railcard allows you, and an adult companion travelling with you, to save 1/3 of the cost of most standard and first class train fares throughout Great Britain.
A one-year card costs £18. A three-year card is also available for £48.
You must provide proof that you qualify for a Disabled Person's Railcard. You might qualify if you:
- have a visual impairment;
- have a hearing impairment;
- have epilepsy; or
- are in receipt of a disability-related benefit.
To apply, you can download an application form here, which you should return, together with payment and the required proof of disability, to the Disabled Person's Railcard Office at the address given below.
For more information, contact the Disabled Person's Railcard Office, or visit their website.
Contact Information
Disabled Person's Railcard Office
PO Box 163, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE12 8WX.
Telephone : 0845 605 0525, Minicom : 0845 601 0132.
Email : disability@atoc.org
Nexus
Nexus House, St James Boulevard, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4AX.
Telephone : 0191 203 3333.
Article last updated August 25, 2010 9:07 am
