Rother District Council

This concession provides free 'local bus' travel in East Sussex after 9.00am Monday to Friday. (Travel commenced in other areas is subject to the terms and conditions of their arrangements and may be from 9.30 am). Journeys can commence at anytime at weekends and bank holidays.

Eligible older people or those who are registered disabled, are entitled to free off-peak travel on local buses throughout England. You will need a bus pass, which must be shown to the bus driver on each journey.

Who is eligible for free bus travel?

If you were born after 5 April 1950, the age you become eligible is tied to changes in the State Pension age for women. This affects both men and women.

• Find your State Pension age by using the Direct.gov - State Pension age calculator.

Disabled people can apply for a pass from the age of five. Passes are issued under medical, physical or mental health categories.

Which buses can I use my pass on?

You can use your pass on local bus services in England.

Services that aren't covered include those:

• where most seats can be reserved, like coaches
• that run for less than six weeks, like shuttle buses to special events
• for tourists, like open-top bus tours
• that are running instead of a train - 'rail replacement' services.

How to apply for a bus pass

From 1 April 2011, new applications can be made in person at:

• any library in East Sussex - find your local library
• any district or borough council office.

There is no need to make an appointment and your pass will be sent to you within 10 working days.

Please bring:

• A recent passport-style photo
  If you apply at a library, staff can take your photo for you and help with your application.
• Your national insurance number
• Proof of age
  Either your:
  
  
  • birth certificate
  • driving licence
  • passport
  • pension book
  • medical card.
• Proof of address in East Sussex
  Either:
  
  
  • a letter from Department of Work and Pensions
  • a recent bank or credit card statement
  • your current council tax bill
  • a recent utility bill.

If your main home is not in East Sussex, you should apply for a bus pass to the local authority where you usually live.

• Proof of your impairment or disability (to qualify for a disabled person's bus pass you must be aged 5 or over and live in East Sussex). You must be either:
  
  
  • blind or partially sighted
  • profoundly or severely deaf
  • without speech
  • suffering from a permanent disability or injury, which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on the ability to walk
  • without the use of both arms
  • have a learning disability as defined in the transport act 2000 (a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning)
  • refused or likely to be refused a driving licence on medical grounds.

Renewing your bus pass

You do not have to do anything to renew your pass. Passes are valid for five years and you will automatically receive a new one in the post.

Companion permits

If you need assistance to travel on buses, you may apply for a 'plus companion' which allows a companion to travel with you free of charge. You do not have to always travel with a companion. Companions may be charged for travel outside of the East Sussex area.

You will need:

• proof of your disability
• a letter from your doctor stating that you need a companion to use public transport.

Lost or stolen passes

If your bus pass is lost or stolen you need to report it at a library, or at a district or borough council office. A charge of £5 will be made for issuing a replacement pass. If a pass is lost or stolen a second time, the charge will be £10.

Replacement charges for stolen passes will be waived if you have a crime number.

Contact us

Bus pass enquiries including change of details or circumstances, lost or stolen passes:

• any library in East Sussex - find your local library
• any district or borough council office.

For general enquiries about the scheme, telephone our contact centre on 0345 6080 194.

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