Residents in Daventry district are facing delays in receiving their new passes for free bus travel following a setback in their production which has affected residents nationwide.
From April 1, every person living in England aged 60 or over or with disabilities is eligible for a new pass giving them free off peak-travel on local buses anywhere in England. The new passes are being made by government-appointed supplier Fujitsu which has received applications for the passes from all the county’s local councils. However delays from supplier has meant many people in Daventry district and neighbouring local authorities have still not received their passes.
Daventry District Council has received 6,500 applications for the new passes – 5,700 from existing bus pass holders and 800 new applications from residents who haven’t previously held a travel pass.
Existing pass holders are expected to get their new cards through their letterboxes in the next couple of days. New applications, however, may take up to two weeks to be issued after local councils countywide decided to switch supplier to speed up the process.
Daventry district residents who don’t have their new cards can use their existing passes on local bus services anywhere in Northamptonshire free of charge, but should contact the district council for a temporary pass if they wish to travel further afield.
Daventry District Council Executive Director Ian Vincent said: “Daventry district is not alone in experiencing delays in receiving the new free bus travel passes – it is affecting residents nationwide.
“We have processed the applications in good time but the government’s appointed supplier has been slow to deliver. We have therefore taken immediate steps to switch supplier to ensure these issues are dealt with as quickly as possible.
“Existing bus passes can be used free of charge anywhere within the county, but we would ask anyone wishing to travel further afield to contact us for a temporary card until their new pass arrives.”
To apply for a pass or for more information, call Daventry District Council on 01327 871100.
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How the bus pass delay will affect you.
Q: When can I expect my new bus pass?
A: The new cards for existing pass holders have been made by Fujitsu on behalf of all councils in Northamptonshire and for many other English councils. If you already have a bus pass your details were sent to this company by Northamptonshire County Council in January and Fujitsu will be posting your new pass straight to your address.
New applications for the passes are being passed on to a new supplier in an effort to speed up the process.
Q: What do I do if my new pass hasn’t arrived and I want to use the bus?
A: You can continue to use your existing bus pass anywhere in Northamptonshire free of charge (the bus operators have been asked to accept them until at least the end of April).
If you wish to travel further afield, Daventry District Council can issue you with a temporary pass to use alongside your existing pass.
Q: What do I do if I do not have a current bus pass but have sent in an application form in the last couple of months?
A: We can make you a Daventry District Council bus pass to use free within Northamptonshire and issue you with a temporary pass to use alongside this if you wish to travel elsewhere.
Q: When is off-peak?
A: Off-peak hours are 9.30am to 11pm Monday to Friday, and any time at weekends or bank holidays.
Q: What is a local bus?
A: A local bus is one which operates on regular routes in a specific area. This does not generally include longer distance coach routes, though these services can sometimes include part of a registered local route. Users should check with their local service provider if in doubt.
Q: Do those living in the Daventry district get any additional services?
A: If a Daventry district resident is eligible for the new bus pass, they get the added bonus of having free local bus travel at all times, not just at off peak. This applies to services within the district only. Additional travel costs may be payable in other areas for travel during peak times.
Q: Does this mean they can get free travel at all times in other areas if they offer a similar scheme?
A: No. The additional service only applies to the Daventry district.
Q: Do the new passes apply to train travel as well?
A: No. The scheme is limited to buses only.
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