Show your pass for free travel

Date published: 24/03/2006

Thousands of older and disabled people in Rochdale will soon be able to take advantage of free travel by public transport – but only if they show their pass!

More than half a million people will be able to travel for free on buses, trains and trams in Greater Manchester from Saturday 1 April 2006 by showing their GMPTE travel permit to the bus driver or ticket collector. However, those without a pass will be charged the full fare.

£22 million will be spent on providing free travel for disabled people and those aged 60 and over during the next financial year, following a decision by Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority. The scheme is being funded through a government grant.

People will be able to travel for free within Greater Manchester between 9.30am and midnight, Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on Bank Holidays. Bus journeys from Greater Manchester to destinations up to ten miles outside the county boundary will also be covered by the scheme.

Older and disabled people who already hold a GMPTE permit to travel at a reduced rate on public transport within Greater Manchester will be able to use their existing permit to travel for free and do not need to apply for a new one.

Councillor Allen Brett, the Rochdale spokesperson for the Authority, said: “It’s vital that disabled people and those aged 60 and over carry their GMPTE travel permit with them at all times when using public transport – and show it.

“The decision to provide free travel will make a massive difference to people in Rochdale and make it much easier to reach essential services. However, people will only be able to benefit from the scheme if they can prove they live in Greater Manchester and so they need a GMPTE travel permit.

 “I would encourage anyone who is eligible and hasn’t already got a permit to apply for one as soon as possible so they can use the bus and train services available in the borough, as well as the rest of Greater Manchester’s public transport network, for free.”

At the moment, GMPTE travel permit holders pay 50p or half the full adult fare, whichever is the cheapest, for bus journeys. It costs them 60p to travel on the train or tram after 9.30am or approximately half the full adult fare during the weekday morning rush hour.

From 1 April, older and disabled people wanting to travel within Greater Manchester before 9.30am during weekdays will be charged 50p on buses and the existing concessionary fares on trains and trams.

People who do not already have a travel permit can apply for one at GMPTE Travelshops or local council offices. They will need to take a passport-sized photo, proof of age (e.g. passport or birth certificate) and proof of address (e.g. rent book or utility bill). People will still be able to apply for a permit after the free travel scheme starts on 1 April.

Some disabled people are currently entitled to free travel on public transport in Greater Manchester at all times of the day. They will continue to be eligible for this entitlement when the new scheme is introduced.

Further information about the free travel scheme is available in GMPTE Travelshops or by calling Traveline on 0870 608 2 608. Textphone users should ring 0870 241 2216.