Concessionary Bus Passes - Frequently asked questions
Q: Why has 09:00am – 09:30am
service been removed?
A: From 1 April this year Kent County
Council will take over administration of the Concessionary
Travel Scheme which provides free local bus travel for elderly and
disabled people from Kent’s district and borough councils.
Government funding for the scheme will be reduced at the same time,
meaning that we will receive less money to pay for the scheme than
the districts have in the past.
As a result KCC will now operate the
national standard scheme, from 09.30am to 23.00pm Monday
to Friday and all day at weekends and on bank holidays.
For the past three years the scheme allowed pass holders to travel
from 09.00 on weekdays.
If the customer is not happy with the
response, please ask them to complain in writing:
ENCTS
Invicta House
County Hall
Maidstone
Kent
ME14 1XX
Q: How much is this change saving
KCC?
A: Around £330,000 per annum.
Q: In the past I’ve been able to get a
rail voucher/travel voucher instead of a free bus pass. Can I
still do that?
A: No.
Some Districts in Kent currently offer an
alternative to the free bus pass, such as travel vouchers or an
alternative to the free bus pass. Unfortunately, due to the
reduction in funding and the need to offer a consistent scheme
across Kent, KCC will not offer any alternatives to the free bus
pass from 1st April 2011.
Q: My pass does not work on the ticket
machines on the bus and I’ve been told that from 1st
April they will no longer be accepted as flash passes.
A: You will need to apply to KCC for a new
pass after 1st April. Please see website for more
information. However, your pass will continue to be accepted
as a flash pass for the first two weeks in April.
Q: My pass expires in May
–
A: You will be able to apply for a new pass in
April either by telephone, post or face to face. Ask them to
telephone back early in April for more details – this will still
allow plenty of time for them to receive the pass before their
current pass expires.
Q: I become eligible for a pass in
April and want to apply now.
A: No one should become eligible by Age in
April – take their date of birth and check when they become
eligible. If it is in March they should apply now to their
District Council, if it is in May then they should apply for a new
pass in April either by telephone, post or face to face. Ask
them to telephone back early in April for more details – this will
still allow plenty of time for them to receive the pass before
their current pass expires.
Q: I use my bus pass for my journey to
work everyday, will I now have to
pay?
A: Yes you will have to pay
the fare one way.
Q: My bus leaves at 9:28 can I use my
pass on this?
A: No, you can only use the
pass after 09:30.
Q: Why are KCC taking over the
scheme?
A: The government have made
these changes as a result of feedback from local authorities,
stakeholder groups and operators. This will provide a reliable
single pricing structure and discretionary offers for residents of
Kent. It will operate through a single funding system, which will
be easier to maintain.
Q: I have received my disabled pass
but I have not received one for my companion - will that arrive
shortly?
A: Ask the caller if their pass has an
orange/gold stripe down the right hand, side with
a C+ in the top right hand corner? The C+ advises the bus drive you
have a companion pass. This can be used by anyone you wish to
travel with you whose journey starts in Kent.
Q: How long will I have to wait for my
pass with all these changes happening?
A: Passes normally take up to 15 days to
process. (In the first few weeks there’s a chance this may
take longer).
If you have any questions
that are not answered above, please email them to:
enctssupport@kent.gov.uk
Alternativly, more
information is available on the
KCC website.
This webpage was updated on
2/8/2012