1. travel

A guide to concessionary
travel in Greater Manchester
for older people
June 2012
www.tfgm.com
Concessionary bus travel in England
The concessionary Bus Travel Act states that everyone in England of State
Pension Age can get free off-peak travel on all local buses anywhere in England.
The age when men and women become eligible for a National Concessionary
Travel Pass is the State Pension Age for women.
The State Pension Age is being aligned to be the same for both men and women.
But until this process is complete, the age at which you become entitled to
concessionary travel will depend on when you were born.
So if you were born on or after 6 April 1950, the date at which you become
eligible will be later than your 60th birthday. You can calculate the date you will
become eligible by using the link to the DirectGov website at www.tfgm.com,
or by phoning 0161 244 1050.
In Greater Manchester, passes are issued by Transport for Greater Manchester
(formerly GMPTE) and are valid for the local Greater Manchester concessions and
the national bus travel concession. In other areas of England, local authorities are
responsible for providing this.
The national bus travel concession allows free off-peak travel on all local bus
services throughout England.
Concessionary travel in Greater Manchester for older people 3
Concessionary travel in Greater Manchester
How do I apply for a National Concessionary
Travel Pass for Greater Manchester?
Transport for Greater Manchester’s local concessionary travel scheme provides
lower price travel on buses, trains and Metrolink trams within the Greater
Manchester boundary. This is in addition to the national bus travel concession
scheme that entitles older people of State Pension Age to free travel on buses
throughout England.
To apply for a National Concessionary Travel Pass get an application form
from a Travelshop located in the bus station at Altrincham, Ashton, Bolton,
Bury, Eccles, Hyde, Leigh, Middleton, Oldham, Manchester Piccadilly Gardens,
Manchester Shudehill, Rochdale, Stockport, Wigan or Wythenshawe. You will
need to take:
You will only be entitled to travel for free or pay the concessionary fare if you
have a National Concessionary Travel Pass.
• one passport-sized photograph;
When you are eligible for concessionary travel you can apply for a National
Concessionary Travel Pass from Transport for Greater Manchester.
Older people with disabilities may be entitled to free travel on buses, trains and
Metrolink trams; or to Travel Vouchers providing low cost taxi travel, regardless of
their age. For more information visit www.tfgm.com, or phone 0161 244 1050.
• a document which shows proof of your age, for example, your birth
certificate or adoption certificate, NHS medical card, passport, driving
licence or European Union (EU) or European Economic Area identity
card; and
• current proof that you live permanently in Greater Manchester, for
example, a council tax bill, a gas, water or electricity bill, a bank
statement, a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
or HM Revenue & Customs, your tenancy agreement or your rent book.
We can only deal with your application form within 14 days of the date on which
you become eligible to receive your travel pass, but you can apply for your pass
up to one month before this date.
4
Concessionary travel in Greater Manchester for older people 5
Using your National Concessionary Travel Pass issued
by Transport for Greater Manchester (formerly GMPTE)
How much will I have to pay to travel on buses
in Greater Manchester?
With your pass, you can travel free between 9.30am and midnight Monday to
Friday, and all day at weekends and on public holidays on all local buses. You
can also travel free between 9.30am and midnight Monday to Friday, and all day
at weekends and on public holidays on all local buses as far as the towns outside
Greater Manchester shown with grey circles on the map on pages 8–9.
You can travel free anywhere in England on all local buses between 9.30am and
11pm Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on public holidays.
At all other times, you pay the adult fare for each journey.
If you do not have your pass with you when you travel, you will have to
pay the full fare.
How much will I have to pay to travel on trains and Metrolink trams
in Greater Manchester?
With your pass, you can travel for free between 9.30am and midnight Monday
to Friday, and all day at weekends and on public holidays. You will not need a
ticket to travel after 9.30am. At all other times you will pay the full fare for the
journey you are making.
Your pass is valid for train travel as above only for journeys which begin and end
within the Greater Manchester rail boundary which is shown on pages 10–11.
If you do not have your pass with you when you travel, you will have to
pay the full fare.
You cannot use your pass on trains or trams outside Greater Manchester.
On which buses can I use my pass?
You can use your pass on all local buses in England, no matter what colour or
size the bus is, or which company runs it. You may be able to use your pass for
local journeys on some long-distance services, but you should check with the
bus company first.
You cannot use your pass for long-distance bus journeys, excursions
(holiday trips) or tours, or special bus services which charge premium fares.
The Greater Manchester bus boundary is shown on pages 8–9.
6
Concessionary travel in Greater Manchester for older people 7
Greater Manchester Bus Boundary
EDGESIDE
WATER
RAWTENSTALL
PORTSMOUTH
(W.Yorks)
ACCRINGTON
TODMORDEN HEBDEN
BRIDGE
BLACKBURN
Stubbins
Railway
Bridge
LEYLAND
Shevington Moor,
Boundary Lane/
Mossy Lea Road
Shevington Moor,
Crow Orchard Road,
Four Lane Ends
Appley Bridge,
Mill Lane/
Railway Hotel
Orrell,
Abbey Lakes Hotel
Orrell,
Oxhouse Road
Dimple,
Moss
Cottages
Adlington,
Pincroft Mill/A6
Belmont,
Scout
Road
Chorley Road,
Coppull Mill Bridge
Standish,
Preston Rd,
New Seven Stars
Appley Bridge,
Skull House Lane/Back Lane
Walves,
Bury Road
Shuttleworth,
Duckworth Arms
Cheesden
Bridge
Holcombe,
Helmshore Road,
county boundary
Healey Ending,
Market Street/
Shawclough Road
A640 Huddersfield Road,
county boundary
A62 Standedge,
Great Western Hotel
Wigan
Manchester
PRESCOT
Greater Manchester concessionary
bus boundary and crossing point
Cross boundary journeys
The furthest points (town centres) to which TfGM
National Concessionary Travel Passes for eligible people
over 60 are valid on buses when commencing a journey
between 11pm and midnight on Mondays to Fridays.
Bowdon,
Dunham Road/
Bow Green Road
Hollingworth,
Millbrook
Broadbottom,
Cheshire Cheese
Chisworth,
Brick Houses
Stockport
Altrincham
Heatley Heath,
Green Dragon
Ashtonunder-Lyne
Woolley Bridge,
Spread Eagle
Cadishead,
Victory Road
WARRINGTON
A635 Holmfirth Road,
county boundary
Oldham
Billinge, Upholland Road/Makins Corner
Salford
HUDDERSFIELD
A672 Windy Hill,
Seventh milestone
Rochdale
Bury
Bolton
North Ashton, Booths Brow Road/Brocstedes Road
Billinge,
North Ashton, Downall Green Road/Mill Farm
Wigan Road/
Bryn, Low Bank Road/M6
Mount Pleasant Farm
East Lancs Road,
Golborne,
Ashton-in-Makerfield,
Greyhound Hotel
East Lancs Road/
Liverpool Road/
Haydock Park,
Sandy Lane
M6
Racecourse
Kenyon,
Golborne, Park entrance
Wilton Lane/
Lowton,
Birchall’s Farm
Bulls Head
ORMSKIRK
Winwick Lane,
A579 Railway bridge
8
HALIFAX
A58 Blackstone Edge,
White House
Turton,
King William
Rivington & Blackrod,
High School
Horwich,
Crown Hotel
Warland,
Dean Head
Hale,
Ashley Road/
Bollin Bridge
KNUTSFORD
Handforth,
Stanley Road/A34
Styal,
Hollin Lane
Woodford,
Walnut Tree
Farm
Handforth,
Stanley Road/
Ringway, Wilmslow Road
Mill Lane
Woodford,
Deanwater Hotel
Moorfield Arms, Shiloh Road
Mellor, Moor End Road/Shiloh Road
Hazel Grove,
Fiveways
Strines, Post Office
High Lane, Alders Road
TIDESWELL
BUXTON
MACCLESFIELD
© Transport for Greater Manchester 2011
12-0580-121301
Concessionary travel in Greater Manchester for older people 9
Hebden Bridge, Bradford & Leeds
Blackburn & Clitheroe
Ú
Ú
Ú
Walsden
Greater Manchester ticketing boundary
Entwistle
Chorley
Euxton
Balshaw Lane
Littleborough
Bromley Cross
Rochdale
Town Centre
Adlington
Parbold
Ú
Southport
Appley Bridge
Gathurst
Wigan
North
Western
Upholland
Orrell
Bolton
Farnworth
Moses
Gate
Westhoughton
Ince
Pemberton
Ú
r
te
es ry
ch da
an oun
rM b
te ng
ea ti
Gr icke
t
Kirkby
Lostock
Wigan
Wallgate
Newbold
Hall i'th' Wood
Horwich
Parkway
Blackrod
Bury
Rochdale
Radcliffe
Castleton
Crumpsall
Abraham Moss
Bryn
Salford
Crescent
Salford
Central
Eccles Ladywell
St Peter's Square
Harbour City
DeansgateCastlefield
Ú
Li
ve
r
Anchorage
Salford Quays
Velopark
Piccadilly
Holt
Gardens
Town
New
Islington
(southbound only)
Broadway
MediaCityUK
po
ol
St. Helens Central
Weaste
Manchester
Oxford Road
Deansgate
Cornbrook
Newton-leWillows
Chassen Road
Trafford Park
Urmston
Ú
Irlam
Stretford
Chorlton
Sale
Birchwood
Brooklands
Moor Road
Padgate
Liverpool
Ú
Warrington
Bank Quay
Warrington
Central
(Note: some stop names are subject to confirmation)
Greater Manchester ticketing area
West
Didsbury
Shadowmoss
Manchester
Airport
Peel
Hall
Newton
Reddish
North
Levenshulme
Hattersley
Godley
for Hyde
Brinnington
Hadfield
Dinting
Broadbottom
Glossop
Hyde Central
Woodley
Bredbury
Stockport
Romiley
Davenport
Marple
Rose Hill
Woodsmoor
Strines
Hazel Grove
Cheadle Hulme
Middlewood
Robinswood
Road
Bramhall
Disley
Heald Green
Poynton
Styal
Handforth
Greater Manchester
ticketing boundary
New Mills
Central
New Mills Newtown
Furness Vale
Whaley Bridge
Buxton
Ú
ld
fie
Adlington
ef
Macclesfield,
Stoke-on-Trent
& London Euston
Ú
Crewe,
& London Euston
Ú
Crewe, Shrewsbury
& South Wales
Chinley
Sh
Wilmslow
Ú
Northwich & Chester
Hyde
North
Heaton
Chapel
East Didsbury
Flowery
Field
East
Didsbury
Ú
Crewe &
London Euston
Burton
Road
Knutsford
Ú
Ú
10
Ú
Chester & North Wales
Ashley
Mobberley
Barlow
Moor
Road
Didsbury
Village
Crossacres
Wythenshawe
Town Centre
Greater Manchester Rail Network
Gorton
Belle Vue
Gatley
Benchill
Roundthorn
Haveley
Hale
Train
Metrolink
Metrolink under construction
Northern Moor
Withington
Baguley
Navigation
Road
Altrincham
Sale
Water
Park
Wythenshawe
Park
Timperley
Burnage
St Werburgh's Road
Dane Road
Glazebrook
Guide
Fairfield Bridge
Ashburys
Mauldeth
Road
Firswood
Audenshaw
Droylsden
Edge
Lane
Ryder Brow
Trafford Bar
Old Trafford
Cemetery
Road
Stalybridge
Ashton
West
© Transport for Greater Manchester 2012 10-0535-121142C
Flixton
Ardwick
Pomona
Humphrey
Park
Earlestown
Clayton
Hall
Etihad
Campus
Manchester
Piccadilly
Exchange Quay
Ashtonunder-Lyne
Ashton Moss
Market Street
Mosley Street
Langworthy
Mossley
Failsworth
Newton Heath
and Moston
Shudehill
Eccles
Greenfield
Hollinwood
Monsall
Manchester
Victoria
(Temporary stop until
Oldham town centre
Metrolink opens)
opens 2012
Central
Park
Woodlands Road
H
Marsden
Oldham Mumps *
Freehold
South
Metrolink to Oldham
Chadderton
Moston
ld
fie s
rs ed
de & Le
d
u
Derker
Oldham
Central
Westwood
Bowker Vale
Swinton
Oldham
Mumps
Oldham
King Street
Mills Hill
Heaton Park
Moorside
Patricroft
Newhey
Shaw and
Crompton
Prestwich
Clifton
Atherton
Walkden
Kingsway
Besses o'th Barn
Kearsley
Hag Fold
Hindley Daisy
Hill
Milnrow
Rochdale
Railway
Station
Whitefield
Garswood
Liverpool
Smithy Bridge
Ú
Preston & Blackpool
Cumbria & Scotland
Concessionary travel in Greater Manchester for older people 11
If you have a National Concessionary Travel Pass
issued by another local authority in England
More information
How much will I have to pay to travel on buses in Greater Manchester?
With your pass, you can travel for free between 9.30am and 11pm Monday
to Friday, and all day at weekends and on public holidays, on all local buses
throughout England.
Travelshops
We have Travelshops at the bus stations in Altrincham, Ashton, Bolton, Bury,
Eccles, Hyde, Leigh, Middleton, Oldham, Manchester Piccadilly Gardens,
Manchester Shudehill, Rochdale, Stockport, Wigan and Wythenshawe.
How much will I have to pay to travel on rail and Metrolink
in Greater Manchester?
You will have to pay the full fare for the journeys you make. You only get free
travel on trains or Metrolink trams if you have a pass issued by Transport for
Greater Manchester.
Ring and Ride
You can use your National Travel Pass to travel at a reduced fare on Ring and
Ride services. For more information please phone Traveline on 0871 200 22 33.
(Calls cost 10p a minute plus network extras.)
Door-to-door services
In areas where there are very limited bus services, we support Local Link
services which are door-to-door public transport services. You can use your
National Travel Pass to travel at a reduced fare. (Fares vary from service to
service.) For more information please phone Traveline on 0871 200 22 33.
(Calls cost 10p a minute plus network extras.)
Comments
If you have any comments about travel concessions or public transport services
in Greater Manchester, we would like to hear from you. You can get comments
cards from Travelshops (listed above), or online at www.tfgm.com or by
phoning 0871 200 22 33 (Calls cost 10p a minute plus network extras.)
12
Concessionary travel in Greater Manchester for older people 13
National concessionary travel passes issued by
Transport for Greater Manchester – conditions of use
1 Your pass entitles you to free off-peak travel on local bus services in England
under the rules of the National Bus Concessionary Travel Scheme set out in
the Transport Act 2000. It also entitles you to other travel concessions on
bus, tram and train in Greater Manchester as set out in this leaflet.
2 This pass may only be used by the person whose photograph and name
appear on it.
3 The pass is valid until the expiry date displayed on the front as long as you
continue to live in Greater Manchester.
4 You must show your pass to the driver, conductor or ticket collector and
when asked by one of our inspectors. The pass can be taken from you for
improper use.
7 If you travel on any service with a pass, you must keep to the passenger
regulations and by-laws of the operator of that service.
8 If you no longer need the pass, or it is damaged, or found, or if you
no longer live in Greater Manchester, you should return the pass to:
Travel Concessions, Customer Services, PO Box 429, Manchester M60 1HX.
9 You should tell us if any of the information you gave us to get the pass
changes, such as your name or address.
Head of Legal Services,
Transport for Greater Manchester.
5 If you have a disability and use an assistance dog (a dog trained to help
someone with a disability), you may bring them with you on buses, trains
and Metrolink trams.
6 The pass is not valid if it is damaged or altered in any way. If you misuse the
pass, we may withdraw it and take legal action against you.
14
Concessionary travel in Greater Manchester for older people 15
More information
To request this leaflet in an alternative format or for local
public transport information visit www.tfgm.com, phone Traveline
on 0871 200 22 33 or visit a Travelshop in a main bus station.
Calls cost 10p a minute plus network extras.
If you have any questions about our passes and permits or want more
information, phone 0161 244 1050. Lines are open from 9am to 4.30pm,
Monday to Thursday, and from 9am to 4pm on Fridays.
Write to us at:
Travel Concessions
Customer Services
PO Box 429
Manchester M60 1HX
Disclaimer
We have made every effort to ensure that the information in this leaflet is
correct, clear and easy to understand, but we cannot be held responsible for any
loss or inconvenience you suffer because of mistakes or missing information.
This leaflet is printed on paper which uses recycled materials and trees from a
‘sustainable forest’. A sustainable forest is a forest which is carefully managed
to make sure that trees which are cut down are replaced.
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