Mobility Pass

Summary

From 1 April 2008 concessionary travel becomes free for disabled people on local buses across England as well as in South Yorkshire on local buses, trains and trams. 

How do you know if you are eligible?

You are eligible for a Mobility Pass if you fit into one of the following categories:-

• If you are a permanent resident of Barnsley;
• If you are aged under 65 years of age*;
• If you have a disability or injury which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to walk;
• If you are registered blind or partially sighted with Barnsley Social Services;
• If you have a learning disability;
• If you have had or would have your driver's licence refused or revoked on medical grounds (other than on the grounds of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol);
• If you are deaf or without speech and registered with Barnsley Social Services;
• Or if you do not have arms or have long-term loss of the use of your arms.

*There are exceptions to this if you are visually impaired or have to travel with a carer. 

Procedures

When applying for a Mobility Pass, please ensure that you bring with you proof of eligibility as stated above, these must however be original documents.

You can apply for a mobility pass by visiting one of our Barnsley Connects Service Centers .  To find out where your local office is please see 'Quick Links' or alternatively contact us on 01226 775656.

If you are a Minicom User, please call 01226 772772

RNID Typetalk:If you are a RNID Typetalk user, please call 18002 followed by 01226 775656.

You can get more information about RNID Typetalk by visiting the RNID Typetalk website.

Opening Times

All our offices are open Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm.

How can you help?

You can help by ensuring you bring with you the correct eligibility.

• Letter of eligibility - issued by Barnsley Council;
• Proof of age - for example, a birth certificate, passport or a medical card;
• Proof of address - for example, medical card, driving licence, gas bill, electricity bill or Council Tax bill;
• Recent passport size photograph

You can ask a friend or relative to apply for you. Simply ask them to take the four items above to your nearest South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive office and your new pass will be posted out to you.

Your pass will be valid for five years or until you reach the age of 65.

Next Steps/Response Times

Once you have visited your local Barnsley Connects Service Centre and your evidence has been checked by an Information Service Officer for approval, they will print you a letter of eligibility which will be signed by them.  You will then need to go to South Yorkshire Passenger Transport , 8 Midland Street, Barnsley S70 1SD for the issue of your Mobility Pass.

Where can I use my Mobility Pass?

Within South Yorkshire your pass is valid all day:

• On any bus or tram;
• Between stations on the South Yorkshire rail network;
• To and from West Yorkshire on Northern Rail services (without changing trains in West Yorkshire)

In all other parts of England you can use it to travel  free on local bus services* (not train or tram) between 0930 and 2300 on weekdays, all day at weekends and on Bank Holidays.

*Local bus services do not include booked excursions and long distance coach travel such as that provided by National Express or Megabus.

Please note that if you do not show your pass to the driver you will be asked to pay the full adult fare.

Travelling with a Carer

If you are in receipt of the Higher Rate Care Component of Disability Living Allowance or Higher Rate Attendance Allowance, then you qualify for a special pass that allows one carer to travel with you for free. This is also known as the Carer's Pass. However, they can only use your pass when travelling with you within South Yorkshire. 

Important information about Mobility Passes

Whether or not you intend to travel on buses outside South Yorkshire you will need a new bus pass.  This will be a plastic photo-card, and will replace your exisiting paper bus pass.

The South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive has written to all pass holders with information about how to get a new mobility pass. 

The South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive has provided new publicity about the changes - look out for 'Disabled People - Guide to the New English National Concession Pass' leaflet at any one of our Barnsley Connects Services Centres.

If you have any further queries about when and where you can travel with your new Mobility Pass you can call:

 Traveline on 01709 51 51 51

Go to: travelsouthyorkshire.com

What if I lose my Mobility Pass?

If you lose your pass you will be charged £5.00 for a new pass. If your pass is stolen and you have a crime reference number from the Police, your pass will be replaced free of charge. If your pass is damaged, the details become indistinct, or if you change your appearance significantly, please take your exisitng pass and a new passport sized photograph to your local South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive office (Travel Interchange, 8 Midland Street, Barnsley, S70 1SD) and they will issue a new pass free of charge. Please note that once a replacement pass has been issued it will not be possible to make any refund if the original pass is subsequently found.

Please remember that you must not alter your pass in any way.

What if I change my personal details?

If you change any of your personal details, such as your name or address, please inform your local South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive office (Travel Interchange, 8 Midland Street, Barnsley, S70 1SD) as soon as possible.

Please note that when you reach 65 you must apply for a Senior Citizen Pass. This carries the same advantages as the Mobility Pass. However, it is not valid before 0900 Monday to Friday in South Yorkshire and before 0930 in the rest of England.

How do I renew my Mobility Pass?

Your pass can be renewed at any time before it expires. Please note you will need a new 'Letter of Eligibility' from Barnsley Connects. Simply take your new letter of eligibility, your old pass, proof of address and proof of age, to your local South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive office (Travel Interchange, 8 Midland Street, Barnsley, S70 1SD) and a new pass will be posted to you .

Can I renew by post?

Yes, you may also apply for renewals by post. Simply send the four items listed above along with a note giving your name and address to IC Managers, SYPTE, PO Box 801, Sheffield, S2 5YT.

This process links to:

• Social Services

 

Last modified on 16/9/2008