The North Yorkshire Concessionary Fares Scheme bus pass is available free of charge to all Craven residents over the age of 60. 

The free pass is also available for disabled Craven residents of any age  who qualify under the categories listed in the Transport Act 2000.

Craven District Council has been in partnership with the North Yorkshire Districts and the City of York since 2001 to provide concessionary bus travel for its residents.

 Since the 1st April 2006 Craven District Council has been able to offer eligible residents free bus travel not only in Craven but throughout North Yorkshire and into adjacent districts on a through fare journey. 

Men and women of 60 years or over, and specific categories of disabled people living in the Craven District Council area are eligible for a bus pass which allows concessionary travel on all local buses (no current time restrictions apply) throughout North Yorkshire and City of York. The pass is valid for any through journey by local bus where the journey starts or ends in the Scheme area (e.g.: Skipton - Leeds). 

Pass holders who are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance with the Higher Rate Mobility Component are entitled to a pass that includes provision for a companion to travel with them at the concessionary rate.

FREE NATIONAL BUS TRAVEL

From April 2008, concessionary bus travel provision will be improved to include national bus travel.  Eligible people will get free off-peak travel on all local buses anywhere in England.

The National Concessionary Bus Pass is available to men and women of 60 years and over and disabled people of any age who qualify under the categories listed in the Transport Act 2000.

Anyone who already has a valid North Yorkshire Concessionary Fares Pass should qualify for a National Concessionary Bus Travel Pass.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. I already have a bus pass.  Do i need to apply for a new pass to get National free travel?

A.  No, if you already have a pass, you do not need to do anything .  If it is necessary, the Council will contact you for any information we need to issue the new national pass to you.  However, the Council will need to issue you with a new pass to a new design, next March, for you to access the extended benefits provided by the new scheme starting in April 2008.

Q.  Where can the National pass be used?

A.  The National pass is valid for free bus travel on all registered local bus services anywhere in England.  The pass is not valid for travel on long distance express coach services, or for train or tram travel.  The pass cannot be used for local bus travel in Wales or Scotland.

Q.  When can i use the National bus pass?

A.  The National pass provides free travel across England from 9.30 am until 11.00pm on weekdays, and all day on weekends and on bank holidays.  Passes issued by Craven District Council will also be valid at any time for journeys starting within Craven on a throughfare journey.  Local extensions to the national minimum standard such as longer times when the pass is valid, will not be available when travelling in other areas.  This is also likely to apply to other local scheme enhancements.  for example, disabled people who are entitled to travel with a free fare companion may not be able to do so on journeys starting outside North Yorkshire or York.  In other areas, only the passholder will be able to travel free.

Q.  When exactly does the new scheme start, and when will i get my new National pass?

A.  The new scheme will start on 1st April 2008.  The new National pass will not be issued to you until mid to end of March 2008.  The time delay is due to the processing and printing time required to produce the new style pass to a national standard  which is determined by the Secretary of State.

Q.  I don't have a bus pass at the moment.  How do i apply for a National bus pass?

A.  You can apply for a bus pass at any time. If you are eligible to receive a concession, you will be issued with a North Yorkshire pass now, and you will automatically be re-issued with a National pass in due course.  In order to assist the Council in dealing with applications, we would ask you to apply as soon as possible.

Full details of how to apply for your bus pass, conditions of use and application forms are available to download.

If you have any queries please contact Customer Services on 01756 700600 or call into one of the Contact Craven customer service centres in Settle Town Hall or Skipton Town Hall.
 

Enquiries regarding bus times and services should be made to the National Travel line on 0870 6082608.