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As from 1st April 2008 qualifying permanent residents of will be able to travel free (off peak times) on local buses anywhere in England (subject to national scheme restrictions). Off peak is between the hours of 9.30 am and 11.00 pm weekdays. There are no restrictions on weekends or Bank Holidays.

If you do not already have a Concessionary Travel bus pass and you meet the criteria below, you can apply for a pass now, download an application form.

You will be eligible for a national bus pass if:

• you are aged 60 or over

Or, you are below pensionable age and you fall into one of the following categories:

• you are blind or partially sighted
• you are profoundly or severely deaf
• you are without speech or hearing
• you are without arms or have lost the use of both arms
• you have a learning disability
• you have been, or could be refused a driving licence for medical reasons
• you have a disability or have suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long term affect on your ability to walk (which is at a comparable level to that required to claim the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance)
• you are receiving the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioners Mobility Supplement

If you are registered as partially sighted or blind, the off peak travel restriction will not apply within the conurbation. You may use your pass at any time during the day within the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch boundaries but you will not be able to travel free if you get on a bus outside the conurbation before 9:30am.

The new national pass will last up to 5 years and the cost of replacing a lost pass will be £8.00.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please click here to open a new window with a list of the most frequently asked questions by customers. Should you not be able to locate your question, please call 01202 451584 and one of our staff will be able to assist you.

Companion Connect Card

Some people will require a companion or carer to accompany them to enable their use of buses. Please ensure that this is requested on the application form if required, supplying the evidence stated.

Where residents qualify for a companion pass, the companion will only be able to travel without paying within the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch boundaries and on a journey travelling out of area where there is no change of bus. The fare for the return journey by the companion will be payable to the bus company at the time of travel, at the relevant fare rate, if the bus is boarded outside of the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch boundaries.

How to get a travelcard

You will need to fill out a Concessionary Travel Application Form.

To receive a form, email concessions, or call 01202 451584, or download one of the following forms:
Application form
If you are visually impaired, you may find the following form easier to complete: Visually Impaired Application Form
If you have learning difficulties, you may find this information form easier to read and this application form easier to complete.

You can also find out more information about benefits and concessions

Connect Travelcard - Conditions of use

• The travelcard allows the named holder (and companion if the card is so endorsed) bus travel at the concessionary rate indicated - it is not transferable to other passengers.
• The travelcard is valid on local bus services operating in England.
• Travel is subject to the bus operators' conditions of carriage.
• The travelcard must be shown to the driver when boarding the vehicle and be available for inspection at all times. Drivers (or inspectors) will not allow passengers to travel at the concessionary rate if they are unable to produce a valid travelcard and they have the right to question entitlement in suspicious circumstances.
• You accept that when you use your travelcard neither the local authorities that co-operate to provide the scheme nor their agents and/or contractors shall be liable for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly in connection with obtaining or using a bus operator's services.
• If the travelcard is lost or stolen this should be reported to the issuing authority immediately.
• A companion travelcard entitles the companion to travel free with the principal cardholder.
• The travelcard remains the property of the issuing authority.