New nationwide passes are on the way

Mar 28 2008 by Neil Atkinson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THE new English National Concessionary Passes have started dropping through the letterboxes of West Yorkshire homes.

All over-60s and disabled and blind people in West Yorkshire who ordered their pass before the end of January should receive them in the post by Tuesday.

From that date they will be able to travel free on any off-peak local bus service in England.

Metro director general Kieran Preston said: “Thanks to our high-profile publicity campaign to encourage people to sign up for the new passes over three-quarters of people in West Yorkshire eligible for the scheme should be receiving their passes over the next few days.

“When we started the Smile campaign to publicise the new passes in July of last year, Tuesday’s start date for the scheme seemed a long way off.

“But a 75% success rate confirms our planning was correct.”

Mr Preston added: “If your pass hasn’t arrived by Tuesday don’t worry. It’s on its way and you will still be able to use your existing Metro Senior, disabled person’s or blind person’s Permit until it does come.”

The new passes replace the current Metro Permits, which are being phased out.

So anyone who is over 60, disabled or blind and who hasn’t yet applied needs to do so now at a post office or bus station travel centre.

Even if people only want to travel within West Yorkshire they will still need the new pass, as the current Metro Permits will become invalid from September 1.