Witney News - Feb 1st deadline for free bus pass applications

Feb 1st deadline for free bus pass applications

Any West Oxfordshire resident who qualifies to use the new free national concessionary travel scheme which starts on 1st April needs to apply for a “smartcard” bus pass to the District Council by Friday 1st February.

Letters to every existing concessionary pass holder in the District were mailed out on 11th January along with an application form and a request for the applicant to return a new passport-sized photo with their completed form. Pass holders who return their applications by 1st of February 2008 can expect to receive their new pass in the post in March 2008.

People too young to qualify for concessionary travel last year but who will have reached 60 years old by 1st April can find full details of how to apply set out on the Councils website at www.westoxon.gov.uk/concessionaryfares . Alternatively Concessionary travel application forms can be downloaded from this website or picked up from the Town Centre Shop in Welch Way, Witney and the Guildhall at Chipping Norton. Completed application forms can also be handed in at these locations.

“The new national concessionary travel scheme will allow bus pass holders to travel round England free of charge on local buses between 9.30 in the morning and 11 at night,” says Cllr David Harvey, Cabinet Member for the Environment.

“But locally West Oxfordshire District Council will continue to supplement concessionary travel as we have previously to allow residents who qualify free travel from 9am and travel tokens or railcards as alternative options.”

“We recognise that extra options like these are important to many people in rural parts of the District.”

Concessionary bus travel is available to anyone age 60 or more and to people of any age with disabilities, subject to an assessment.

Any existing bus pass holder who should have received a letter after January 11th about the new national scheme but has yet to do so is asked to report this by telephoning 01993 861000 or complete a general online enquiry form on the Council website: www.westoxon.gov.uk.