Concessionary Fares

National Concessionary Bus Pass 

If you are 60 or over or are ’eligible disabled’, you may be entitled to free off-peak travel on local buses anywhere in England. 

Since April 2008 everyone who is resident in England and who is: 

·                  over 60 or 

·                  ’eligible disabled’  

has been entitled to a English National Concessionary Travel Scheme Pass (ENCTS PASS) giving free off-peak travel on local buses anywhere in England (before this you could only travel for free within your local area). 

’Off-peak’ is any time between 9.30am - 11.00pm Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and on public holidays.

You are eligible disabled if you:  

·   are blind or partially sighted 

·   are profoundly or severely deaf 

·   are without speech 

·   have a disability, or have suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term effect on your ability to walk

·   do not have arms or have long-term loss of the use of both arms ·   have a learning disability - a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning, or

·   would, if you applied for a licence to drive a motor vehicle under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, have your application refused under section 92 of the Act (physical fitness) on grounds other than persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol.
 

Macclesfield Borough Council along with Halton, Warrington, Ellesmere Port, Vale Royal, Congleton, Crewe and Nantwich and Chester City Councils have formed a consortium in order to provide their residents with the ENCTS Pass and arrange with all local bus companies to provide the concession. In addition to the statutory scheme they are also able to offer local enhancements to residents of all partner districts. 

As the holder of a ENCTS pass issued by the Cheshire consortium you would be entitled to the following concessions: 

On journeys starting or ending in Cheshire, Halton & Warrington 

          Monday – Friday before 0930 – Half Fare
          Monday – Friday between 0930 – Midnight – Free 
          Saturday, Sunday or Bank Holiday – Free  

These same concessions apply to Dial a Ride services in the 8 partner districts, Chester Park & Ride services and journeys on bus services’ going into Wales providing the journey starts or ends in Cheshire.

In the rest of England 

          Monday – Friday between 0930-2300 – Free 

At any time Saturday, Sunday or Bank Holiday – Free  

All other times – Full adult fare (unless advised otherwise locally)

How to obtain an ENCTS pass

An application and supporting evidence along with one passport sized photograph must be submitted to your local office

Senior railcard

Must be aged over 60 to qualify.
· If you qualify, your senior railcard discount (1/3 of most fares) will apply to:
o - Standard Off-Peak Day Singles and Returns
o - Anytime Singles and Returns 
o - Anytime Day Singles and Returns
o - First Class Off-Peak Day Returns
o - First Class Anytime Day Singles and Returns
o - First Class Anytime Singles and Returns
o - Advance fares*
o - Most Rail Rovers
o - Off-Peak, Super Off-Peak 
o - The Weekender
o - Gatwick Express, Standsted Express, Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect services
o - London Underground All Zones Off-Peak Day Travelcard (subject to a munimum fare) - please enquire locally for details.
o - Oyster (Transport for London) - Now you can get your Railcard discount loaded on to your Oyster card to save 1/3 on the daily cap on pay as you go
o - Through tickets for travel on the Railair link between Reading and Heathrow Airport
o - PLUSBUS - unlimited bus travel at your origin / destination station on participating operators. Visit www.plusbus.info or your local staffed station for further details.
o - Some rail/sea journeys with Wightlink, Red Funnel Ferries and Stena Line
* These tickets need to be booked before you travel.
Please note that not every ticket type is available for every journey that you may wish to make, and that some time and train restrictions may apply. To avoid confusion, please check before booking.
Available from National Rail at a cost of £24 per year, alternatively if you are a permanent resident of Macclesfield Borough Council can be purchased from any Information Centre at a cost of £16 If you lose your railcard provided you can produce the completed "Receipt" portion of your original application form, then an application for the replacement of a lost or damaged Railcard can be made at any staffed station ticket office. A £5 administration fee will be payable. However, if your Railcard has been stolen and you have obtained a crime reference number/documentation issued by the Police, then a free replacement will normally be made. Please note that you must pay the full fare, which is not refundable, until you have obtained a replacement Railcard.

Disabled persons railcard

Must meet criteria as set out by the Disabled persons railcard office to qualify.
If you qualify, you can get a 1/3 off all these ticket types:
- Off-Peak Day Singles and Returns.
- Anytime Day Singles and Returns.
- Anytime Singles and Returns.
- Off-Peak.
- First Class Anytime Day Singles and Returns.
- First Class Anytime Singles and Returns.

You can also get discounts on London All Zones Off Peak Day Travelcards (subject to a minimum fare) and on some advance purchase tickets offered by individual Train Companies. Please enquire locally for details 

Information Centres:

Macclesfield Information Centre, Town Hall, Macclesfield – 01625 504114

Wilmslow Information Centre, Wilmslow Leisure Centre, Wilmslow – 01625 522275

Knutsford Information Centre – Council Offices, Toft Road, Knutsford – 01565 632611

Poynton Information Centre – Civic Hall, Poynton – 01625 872238

Disley Parish Council – 19 Buxton Old Road, Disley – 01663 762726

 For the latest developments on the National 2008 Concessionary Fare Scheme, go online at

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/buses/concessionary/