Bus pass holders requested by Warwickshire Council to check validity of pass to avoid delays

[dutchman]

Warwickshire bus pass holders are being asked to make sure they are using their most recent valid concessionary bus pass.



The warning comes after new ticket machines installed on Stagecoach bus services are now able to recognise passes which have been cancelled or withdrawn by the Council.

Currently, free passes – which entitle the user to free off-peak travel – are issued to those born before June 5 1953 or have a qualifying disability.

Should a persons pass fall into one of these categories, the bus driver may tell the card holder that their pass in ‘blocked’ or ‘hotlisted’.

In this situation, bus pass holders are being urged to contact the County Council to order a replacement pass by calling 01926 359180.

Coun Peter Butlin, Warwickshire County Council head of transport and planning, said around 1,600 bus passes are lost or stolen each year.

He added: “Introducing hotlisting on Warwickshire bus services will mean we are able to stop fraudulent use of passes which have been lost or stolen – saving the council money.”

As of now, bus drivers can refuse passes should the photo on the pass not match that of the person carrying it.

Coun Philip Johnson, chair of Warwickshire County Council’s communities overview and scrutiny committee said: “Customers should always make sure they are using their most recent valid concessionary bus pass.

“However they can contact the council to order a replacement pass if they find the pass they are using is blocked.”

Visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/concessionarytravel for further information about concessionary travel passes.