From 1 April 2011, Kent County Council will assume responsibility for the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) for Kent residents.
The free bus pass entitles the pass-holder to free off-peak travel on local bus services across England between 9.30am and 11.00pm Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and bank holidays. As a general rule, the bus pass does not entitle you to free travel on scheduled coach services, ferries, trains, trams or community transport schemes, although some exceptions do apply.
You are eligible for a free bus pass if you are resident in Kent and you have certain disabilities or are of State Pension Age (for both men and women, the age at which you become eligible is the State Pension Age for women).
Apply by :
* going online
* telephoning 08458 247 802 between 9.00am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
* post to ENCTS, Invicta House, County Hall, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1XX
Freedom Passes offer free travel on Transport For London's bus , tube, tram and DLR services at any time. Free travel is also available on many National Rail services between 9.30am and 4.30am the following day (Mon-Fri) and any time at weekends and bank holidays.
There are no time restrictions for travel with Disabled Person's Freedom Passes.
Discounted travel is available on Thames River services.
Outside London, Freedom Passes act as England Bus passes and are only valid for travel on local public bus services between 9.30am and 11pm.
A minority of disabled passes are issued at a borough's discretion. Under Government legislation such passes will not be validated to serve as England Bus Passes.
Passes for the elderly are issued free from main Post Offices.
For Disabled Person's Freedom Passes phone 020 8836 7436.
For further information:
* contact Helpline: 0845 275 7054 (local rate) open Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm. Fax: 020 7934 978
* refer to: http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/services/freedompass/
* or write to: Freedom Pass. London Councils, 59½ Southwark St. London, SE1 0AL
Railcards provide discounts of up to 30% off the cost of off-peak rail travel. They may be purchased from Rail Stations. The Senior Railcard is for people aged 60 or more and the Disabled Persons Railcard for people with certain disabilities (including hearing aid users). As well as being slightly cheaper to buy, a Disabled Persons Railcard allows one other person to travel with the card-holder at a discount.
For further information about Railcards:
* ask at any National Railway Station
* telephone: 08457 48 49 50
* refer to: www.railcard.co.uk or www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk
Age Concern operates low cost Shopmobility Services, Shopping Trips, and Door-to-Door Transport with disabled access for elderly or disabled clients in the RACDV area within Sevenoaks, Dartford and Bexley, plus a wide range of other services for the elderly and disabled. Free information sheets are available on request or contact the RACDV for further details.
See Information Sheet 23 - Bus & Rail Passes