Connect Travelcard
Connect Bus Pass Scheme
The new National Bus Pass. Your questions answered.
From 1st April 2008 if you're 60 or over, or eligible disabled and live in England, your bus pass has changed. The new pass allows you to enjoy free off-peak travel on local buses anywhere in England.
Q. How is my new bus pass different?
A. Your pass will allow free off-peak travel on local buses anywhere in England. All cards across the country are being reissued to the new St George's flag design.
Q. When will my new bus pass arrive?
A. We anticipate that 28000 Poole residents will receive their new cards on the 31st March 2008 for use from the next day.
Q. Do I have to show my pass to the bus driver?
A. Yes, you will have to show your pass every time you board the bus if you wish to receive free travel. In some areas of England you may need to scan your card across the ticket machine.
Q. When exactly is off-peak travel?
A. Off-peak hours are from 09.30am until 11.00pm Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and Bank Holidays.
Q. Can I use it on any colour of bus?
A. Yes, all operators (both large and small) are participating in the scheme. In our local area this includes
- Wilts & Dorset Bus Company
(including more and Route ONE services) - Yellow Buses
- South West Coaches
- First
- Shamrock Buses
- Damory Coaches
- Verwood Bus
- Roadliner
- Discover Dorset (Bournemouth International Airport Service)
(including more and Route ONE services)(Bournemouth International Airport Service)Q. Is it only applicable on buses?
A. Yes, the new concession applies just to bus travel, including in London.
Q. Can I use my pass on long distance coach journeys?
A. No, however discounts for residents over 60 and younger disabled persons may be available. Please check direct with the coach operators concerned.
Q. If I visit an area that offers additional services, such as local train travel, will I be entitled to use them?
A. Probably not. As a general rule local authorities will only provide additional services for their own residents.
Q. How can I plan my journey and find out bus times?
A.Telephone:
For general enquiries about bus services and journey planning advice, please call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33(Calls cost 10p per min plus network extras). This number has been included on the reverse of your pass for your convenience.
A. Internet:
You can also visit websites www.traveline.info or www.gettingabout.info
A. SMS text:
There's now a great way of finding out the time of your next bus - simply use your mobile. Each bus stop is being given a sign with a unique code e.g pleawma.
Text this code to 84268 and within seconds you will receive a message with the times of the next three buses from that stop.
All calls cost 25p plus standard network charges. Save your stop ID in your mobile and then check how the buses are running from wherever you are.
Q. I am blind/partially sighted. Can I still travel for free at any time?
A. Your bus pass will continue to permit free travel all day for any journey originating in the Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch area. Your card is marked with the words 'All Day Local' to make drivers aware of this added entitlement. However, please note that this enhancement is a locally agreed condition only. If you wish to travel during peak hours elsewhere in England (before 09.30am or after 11.00pm on weekdays) you will be required to pay a fare.
Q. I was allowed a companion before, am I still entitled?
A. Yes. Severely disabled persons who are only able to access local bus services with the assistance of a travelling companion are permitted this concession. This is indicated by a C+ symbol on the top right hand corner of the card. Please note your companion can only travel for free with you when in the combined Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch area. If you board a bus outside of these boundaries your companion will be required to pay the relevant fare. This is because this is a local enhancement and not part of the national scheme.
Qualifying for a Connect bus pass
Permanent residents of the Borough of Poole aged 60 years or more and younger people with certain disabilities. Under the Connect concessionary fares scheme you can qualify for free local off-peak bus travel after 09:30.
Applying for a Connect bus pass
An application form can be downloaded from the links on the right.
Alternatively, hard copies are available from:
- Most libraries
- Poole Bus Station
- Transportation Services, Borough of Poole, St John's House, Serpentine Road, Poole BH15 2DX Card Issuing Hours: Monday to Friday 08:30 - 16:30. Telephone 01202 634249
Take your completed application form and supporting documentation of age/disability and permanent residence in Poole to:-
Transportation Services, Borough of Poole at
St John's House, Serpentine Road, Poole BH15 2DX
Card Issuing Hours: Monday to Friday 08:30 - 16:30. Telephone 01202 634249
Directions
Use our interactive map - simply enter the postcode of your destination to find it.
Don't forget that the RouteONE bus services runs around the Town Centre. You can also use this service to get to St John's House where we issue Connect bus passes. Stand D in the bus station to Serpentine Road. The service runs every 15 minutes from 09:25 until 14:55. St John's House is a level 100m walk from the bus stop.
Completing your form
Residents over 60 years should complete Parts A and B of this form. Supporting documentation of both your age (eg. birth certificate, passport or driving licence) and permanent address (eg. Council Tax statement) will be required.
Younger residents with disabilities are required to complete Parts A and C. Evidence of both disability and permanent residence in Poole will be required. Part C of the form has examples of the supporting documentation required. For further guidance on qualifying disabilities please refer to the Department for Transport website for more information.
Travelling to the Hospital for an early appointment
Hospitals will help with providing later appointments whenever possible. The NHS Choose and Book initiative offers patients more flexibility when booking hospital appointment times. Visit www.chooseandbook.nhs.uk or telephone the appointments line on 0845 60 88 88 88 for further details.
However, on occasions, Poole Connect bus pass holders may need to travel before 09:30 on weekdays to attend appointments at The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals. In recognition of the longer bus journeys required to potentially reach these two hospitals a reimbursement scheme is available. Patients should present their bus ticket at the hospital's General Office for a refund. The ticket must have been issued for a single journey before 09:30 on the day of the appointment. You must also show your Poole Connect bus pass at the same time.
What to do if you lose your Connect bus pass
If your bus pass has been lost or misplaced then a £8.00 charge is payable. You may obtain a replacement by applying either in person or by post.
In Person: Please attend the offices at St John's House with £8.00 cash or cheque (payable to the Borough of Poole) and proof of ID. Your new card will normally be reissued on the spot.
By Post: Please send a £8.00 cheque (payable to the Borough of Poole) with details of your name and address to Transportation Services, Borough of Poole, St John's House, Serpentine Road, Poole, Dorset. BH15 2DX. We will endeavour to process the application within two working days for posting back to you.
Please note: If your bus pass has been stolen, the Council will waive the £8.00 replacement fee providing that a Police Crime ID number is given at the time of reapplying.
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