THOUSANDS of people can apply for a free bus pass from next week.

Anyone who is over 60, disabled or blind will be entitled to free local off-peak bus travel anywhere in England from April.

Passengers can order their English National Concessionary Pass from Monday.

To avoid queues in West Yorkshire, Metro has asked that people apply alphabetically.

The company has asked those with surnames starting A, B, C, D or E to apply at bus station travel centres or post offices between Monday and August 4.

From August 6-18 it’s the turn of people whose last names begin with F, G, H, I, J or K.

Those whose names start L, M, N, O or P are asked to apply between August 20 and September 1.

From September 3-15, Metro would like people whose names start Q, R, S or T to come forward.

And those whose surnames begin with U, V, W, X, Y or Z are asked to apply between September 17 and 29.

The passes will be posted out by the end of March and everyone who applies will be entered in a prize draw with four top prizes of £500.

Metro chairman Clr Ryk Downes said: “Free off-peak local travel throughout England will be a major boost for over-60s, disabled and blind people but there is an enormous job to do to ensure everyone who is entitled to an English National Concessionary Pass gets one.”

For more information visit www.wymetro.com