Providing information on the National Bus Pass and Travel Vouchers Schemes within Mid Suffolk District

National Bus Pass Scheme

The Scheme was announced in the 2006 Budget by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and replaces all existing local Schemes from 1 April 2008. The new pass allows free off-peak travel on local buses anywhere in England for eligible people.  Mid Suffolk pass holders will have the additional benefits of being able to travel at any time (24 hours a day, seven days a week) for journeys starting in Suffolk, and of Key Card discounts. The new pass will entitle holders to free off-peak travel (9.30am to 11pm) on local bus services in England.  Scheduled coach services are not included (unless they are also registered as local services).

Bus Pass use on specific services

People with concessionary bus passes will not be able to use them on Air Direct's X5 coach service from Ipswich to Stansted Airport.

Ipswich Park and Ride Service - Concessionary bus passes may be used on this service, providing all members of the party have a bus pass, but please check with Park and Ride services in other towns as different rules may apply.

The pass is also valid for journeys with the Borderhoppa services in the area adjacent to Diss, plus some of the services that are run in the Stowmarket area by Optua.

Companion Bus Pass

As from 1 April 2010 residents who are unable to travel on a bus on their own because of disability can apply for a pass that entitles their companion to travel free.

This pass is offered instead of, not in addition to, the National Bus Pass.

Who is eligible?

Permanent Mid Suffolk residents who are:

• Aged 60 or over, and born before and including 5 April 1950;  If born after this date, please check the Government's  Change in Age Eligibility guidance notes (PDF, 21.3Kb ).
• Disabled (including without speech or profoundly deaf); or
• Not permitted to drive or likely to be refused a driving licence for medical reasons.

To apply for a card, or to request further information, you can either contact our Customer Service Centre, or request an application form via Online Services listed below.

Travel Vouchers

The aim of the voucher scheme is to provide an alternative to the National Bus Pass for people who cannot use conventional public transport services, either because of the severity of their disability and/or because they live in a remote location where there are limited bus services.

The scheme provides a "cash value" concession to certain groups of people within the Mid Suffolk District subject to certain eligibility criteria being met. Should you qualify, the value of the vouchers for 2010 is £104.  For more information or details of the operators who accept these vouchers please click on RegisteredOperators.pdf or telephone 01449 724681.

These vouchers are offered instead of, not in addition to, the National Bus Pass.

From 2009 a Key Card will also automatically be issued to Travel Voucher holders.

For an application form for the travel voucher scheme please either click on the link below under online services or contact our Customer Service Centre.

Online services

For more information about concessionary fares and bus passes go to Customer Service Direct - Concessionary fares and bus passes

Download a  BusPass/KeyCard Application Form.pdf

Download a  VoucherScheme/KeyCard Application Form.pdf

For information about Senior Railcards visit: Customer Service Direct - Senior Railcard

For further information visit: Suffolk County Council - Transport Services