Travel Concessions

Elderly and disabled residents are entitled to a National Bus Pass which allows free travel on buses throughout England.  Eastleigh Borough Council also offers a Senior Citizens Railcard or a Disabled Persons Railcard as an alternative to the National Bus Pass as part of our Concessionary Fares Scheme.

You are entitled to Travel Concessions if:

You permanently live in the Borough and one of the following conditions apply:

• You are aged 60 or over, or
• Aged 5 or over, and disabled under one of the following categories:

(a) blind or partially sighted

(b) profoundly or severely deaf

(c) without speech

(d) has a disability which has a substantial and long term affect on your ability to walk

(e) without arms or the long term us of both arms

(f) severe learning disability, or

• would have or has been refused a driving licence under Section 92 of Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

The concession available to you depends on your age and whether you are disabled:

AGE GROUP                   CONCESSION AVAILABLE

60 and over                        National Bus Pass or Senior Citizens Railcard or Disabled Persons Railcard

Disabled Applicants

Aged 5 and over                 National Bus Pass or Disabled Persons Railcard

Housebound Residents

Under 75 years of age         TV Licence Concession  

National Free Bus Pass

A National Free Bus Pass is available free of charge to eligible residents entitling them to free off peak travel on local buses throughout England.  Eastleigh Borough Council provides an enhancement to this scheme allowing eligible residents to travel free of charge at any time of the day provided the journey is continuous and starts within the Borough.  You cannot get free travel before 9.30am of after 11pm if you board a bus in another area.

In addition, registered users of One Community services may use their free pass on the following services:

• Dial a Ride
• Dial a Ride Shopping Trips
• Parish Links
• Hedge End Park Minibus Services

Please note you will be required to provide one passport size photograph for the pass.  Alternatively, you may visit the Civic Offices to have a photograph taken free of charge.

You will receive your bus pass a few days after submitting your application.  You can submit your application up to one week before your 60th birthday in order to allow time for the production of the card.

If your pass is lost or stolen, the Council will replace it once you have filled out a duplicate application form.  A £5 charge will apply for a replacement pass.

If you are disabled under one of the categories detailed above and you wish to apply for a bus pass the following proof will be required:

For (a) (b) (c) (e) and (f): Hampshire Social Services Yellow Disabled Registration Card.

For (d): your award letter confirming you are in receipt of higher rate mobility of Disability Living Allowance or War Pensioners Mobility Supplement.

Companion Bus Pass

If you are so severely disabled that you require assistance to travel on buses you may be entitled to a companion bus pass.  This allows your companion to travel with you free of charge provided your journey starts within the Borough and is continuous.  Please note that your companion will not be allowed to travel free of charge if you are boarding a bus outside Eastleigh's area.  If you board a bus without your companion the driver has the right to make you pay for your journey or refuse you travel.  To qualify for a companion pass you must also be in receipt of:

• Attendance Allowance at the higher rate or
• Disability Living Allowance including higher rate mobility or
• War Pensioners Mobility Supplement AND

• You must be registered disabled with Hampshire Social Services under one of the qualifying categories.

Please provide your original entitlement letter for one of the above benefits and your yellow disabled registration card as evidence.

Senior Citizens Railcard

A Rail Warrant entitling the holder to purchase a Senior Citizens Railcard is available to applicants aged over 60.

The Railcard entitles you to a third off standard and first class rail fares throughout Great Britain.  Discounts on some connecting bus and ship links are also available.

The train operator will also require you to complete an additional application form and provide proof of your age before a Senior Citizens Railcard is issued to you.

Disabled Person's Railcard

The Disabled Person's Railcard allows you and one adult travelling with you to get a third off most rail fares throughout Great Britain.

The Council will process your application once it has been approved and the card will be issued in the post via the issuing bureau.

To qualify for a Disabled Person's Railcard you must be:

1. Disabled under categories (a) or (b) and hold a yellow disabled registration card, or

2. Disabled under category (d) and be in receipt of higher rate mobility of Disability Living Allowance or

3. Disabled under categories (c), (e) or (f) or aged 60 years or over AND in receipt of one of the following benefits:

• Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• War Pensioners Mobility Supplement
• War or Service Disablement Pension for 80% or more disability, or

4. Unable to drive because of epilepsy

Please provide your yellow disabled registration card as proof of entitlement if you are applying under any of the disabled categories.  A copy of your award letter for any of the above benefits will also be required.  If you are applying because you are over 60 you must provide proof of your age.  Acceptable proof of your age is detailed on the Council's application form.

If you are unable to drive because of epilepsy, a copy of your letter from the DVLA telling you that you are unable to drive will be required.  If you do not have a letter, a form which will need to be signed by your Doctor can be provided.  This form should be returned to the Council with a copy of your prescription for epilepsy medication.  Please contact the Concessionary Fares Team for further information.

TV Licence Concessions

If you are under 75 years of age and are responsible for payment of the TV Licence and there is no one else in your property over 75 years of age you may be able to claim a concession towards your Television Licence instead.  You will need to complete an application form confirming that you are housebound and a Visiting Officer will come to your home and check your application to confirm your eligibility.

If you would like an application form or have any questions regarding any of the above information please telephone the Concessionary Fares Section on 023 8068 8048 or visit the Revenue & Benefits reception on the ground floor of the Civic Offices.  Alternatively you can e mail us at: revbens@eastleigh.gov.uk

Our Office opening hours are:

Monday to Thursday: 8.30am to 5.00pm

Fridays: 8.30am to 4.30pm