Over 60? Don't miss out on free travel

12:26pm Wednesday 3rd September 2008

Transport bosses are warning Greater Manchester residents to apply for the new National Concessionary Travel Passes before the end of the month.

Passengers will need the new smartcard-style passes for free travel from then when the old passes will no longer be valid.

GMPTE has now issued more than 400,000 national travel passes to over 60s and eligible disabled people in Greater Manchester.

The passes allow free travel on off-peak local bus services throughout England as well as on trains and trams in Greater Manchester after 9.30am, with reduced fares before then.

GMPTE’s Interim Service Delivery Director, Michael Renshaw said: “It’s great that so many people are now benefiting from this scheme, but now we want to make sure that everyone who can apply has applied.

“From the end of September only the new smartcard-style passes will allow free travel, locally and throughout the rest of England.

"So if you have just turned 60 or if you still have an old pass and have not applied for the new one yet, now is the time to do it.”

Anyone who needs a new travel pass should drop into the GMPTE Travelshop at their local bus station where staff can check ID documents and help applicants complete a form.

It is essential that applicants take a recent colour passport-style photograph, and proof of their date of birth and address.

Anyone who would like an application form sent to them by post should call GMPTE on 0161 244 1050 or email passes2008@gmpte.gov.uk . Postal applications should include photocopies of ID documents, not originals.

More information on the new National Concessionary Travel Scheme is available at www.gmpte.com.