South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) is writing to 250,000 people with Senior Citizen or Mobility passes this week inviting them to order their new free bus pass for next year. Letters will be hitting door mats over the next few days.
Anyone who is eligible for the pass is being urged to look out for the renewal letter - as they will need a new pass to claim the concession next April.
When people receive the form all they have to do is confirm their details are correct, sign it, attach a new passport photograph and return it in the prepaid envelope provided.
The new passes will then be posted to home addresses during March 2008, in time for the new concession to start in April.
Roy Wicks, Director General of SYPTE said: “We are urging people to keep a look out for the letter and return it to us as soon as possible so we can get their pass ready for next year. This is a great opportunity so don’t miss out by not having a pass.”
The new National Concessions Scheme entitles pass holders to free travel on buses anywhere in England. However, in order to obtain this concession, travellers must obtain a new pass as their existing pass will only be valid in South Yorkshire and only until October 2008.
To be eligible for a new pass customers must live in South Yorkshire and be 60 years old and over or be disabled and entitled to a Mobility Pass.
SYPTE has launched a county-wide marketing campaign to make everyone who currently has a South Yorkshire Senior Citizen Pass and Mobility Pass aware of the changes that are coming.
The new pass will be a plastic photo card and quite different in appearance to the existing paper product. It will provide free travel on buses throughout England from 0930 Monday to Friday; and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays, in addition to the existing South Yorkshire scheme.
If you would like more information about the National Concession Pass call Traveline on 01709 51 51 51, visit www.travelsouthyorkshire.com or pop into any Travel South Yorkshire information centre, where staff are happy to help.