Free Travel for Disabled People
If you live permanently in the West Midlands county and meet certain criteria you may be entitled to a free travel pass from Centro.
How do I know if I am eligible for a free travel pass?
If you have one or more of the following disabilities, you may be entitled to a free travel pass:
- Blind or partially sighted*
- Severe or profound deafness
- Without speech
- Walking difficulties*
- Difficulty in using your arms
- Learning disability
- Had your driving licence refused or withdrawn for medical reasons
*If you are registered blind or partially sighted or receive higher rate (mobility component) Disability Living Allowance, you will be eligible for a free travel pass. Otherwise,Centro may seek independent advice from a medical professional.
You can be any age but must live permanently in the West Midlands county.
How do I apply for a free travel pass?
Application is by post. Application forms are available from:
-
Local Travel Information Centres (Birmingham New Street Station, Coventry Pool Meadow Bus Station and - Wolverhampton Bus Station)
- Centro ticketing team (call 0845 303 6760 )
- Click here to download a form, then print out and mail to Centro.
You can also download an easy-to-read version of the form. Click here for the form and click here for the explanatory leaflet which goes with it
What if I want to travel before 09:30 on weekdays?
You can pay for your journey each time you travel or, if you use public transport regularly before 09:30,
you can also buy a pre 09:30 ticket.
If you want to travel before 09:30:
- on all buses? You need a pre 09:30 bus
- on trains only? You need a pre 09:30 train
- on all buses plus the Metro tram? You need a pre 09:30 bus & Metro
- on trains, Metro tram and all buses? You need a pre 09:30 network
How much are pre 09:30 tickets?
|
|
|
4 weeks |
£26.50 |
£32.50 |
52 weeks |
£275.00 |
£333.50 |
|
|
|
4 weeks |
£39.25 |
£31.50 |
52 weeks |
£417.50 |
£305.00 |
Existing pre 09:30 tickets are still valid until date of expiry.
Your Council may be able to offer you help towards the cost of your pre 09:30 ticket. Contact your local Social Services Department to find out more.
Where can I buy my pre 09:30 ticket?
You can buy pre 09:30 tickets from the following sales outlets:
- Most TWM Travelcard ticket agents
- Travel West Midlands Travelcard and Information Centres
- Local Travel Information Centre, Birmingham New Street Station
For more details please telephone 0845 303 6760
The National Concessionary Travel Scheme
From 1 April 2008, the government introduced a new scheme giving all Senior Citizens and eligible people with a disability free travel, on bus only, between the hours of 9.30am and 11.00pm Monday to Friday and all day Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays, anywhere in England. Please note that this concession does not include coach services.
If you are a resident of one of the seven districts of the West Midlands county (Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall or Wolverhampton), you will also be able to travel free on Ring & Ride (once you register as a user) and rail and Metro services within the Network West Midlands area until the end of daytime service. The pass is not valid on night services.
Click on the link for more details of the Over 60s National Pass.
I already have a pass. Do I need a new one and how to I get it?
Yes - the government is specifying a national pass design so that it is recognisable by bus drivers anywhere in the country.
The new pass will replace your current pass. You should have received a letter from Centro in September 2007. You do not need to do anything - we hold all the infrmation we need and your new pass will be sent out automatically in March 2008.
I have changed my address since I got my pass. What shall I do?
Please click on the link to fill out a Change of Address form online.
Will I still be able to use my pass on the train and Metro?
Yes, but only within the West Midlands County as you do now. This is an enhancement provided by West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority and will continue, but you will not be able to travel outside of the county free on train or tram.
Will I be able to travel to Blackpool etc free?
Theoretically you could, but you would have to do it hopping on and off local buses. This free pass does not cover coaches, like National Express. Where there is a bus service, for instance to Stratford or Tamworth, you will no longer have to pay from the boundary but can make the whole journey for free. And if you are on holiday anywhere in England you can travel on the bus in that area for free.
Will I still be able to use my old pass in the West Midlands after April 2008?
No. The old passes will be invalid after April 2008 regardless of the expiry date on them.
| A telephone interpreting service is available. |
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