How do I contact the Concessionary Fares Team?

Email them at concessionarytravel@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk or alternatively ring the helpline on 0124497 3353. Monday to Friday 8.30am - 4pm.

Where can I find information on bus services?

Bus timetables, route maps and service changes

You can also contact Traveline on 0871 200 22 33, they are open everyday 8am-8pm, apart from Christmas day and Boxing day.

I am visiting Cheshire West and Chester, can I get free transport with my bus pass?

Yes, if your bus pass was issued by another English authority you will be entitled to the following concessions on local bus services:

Monday - Friday, 9.30am - 11pm
At all times, on a Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays.

Please note: travel into Wales is only available to Cheshire residents/pass holders.

Am I eligible for a disabled bus pass?

You will qualify if you are in receipt of any of the below benefits:

higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance (DLA) - we will need to see your award notice or excise duty exemption certificate
a score of eight points or more under the 'Moving around' activity of the mobility component of Personal independence payment (PIP) and/or "communicating verbally" activities - we will need to see your award notice

Please note

Your award letter must confirm that you are expected to receive the benefit for a minimum of 12 months from the date of your application for a bus pass.

war pensioner's mobility supplement - we need to see your award letter from the service personnel and veterans agency

If you are not in receipt of the above benefits but your circumstances are the following, then you will still qualify:

blind or partially sighted - we will need to see a certificate of vision impairment (CVI) or a confirmation from you visual impairment team
profoundly or severely deaf - we need confirmation of your condition from a specialist agency or charity or an audiological report showing a hearing level of 70 decibels or worse
without speech - confirmation of your condition from a specialist agency or charity providing services for people without speech
a disability or injury which has a long term effect on walking - proof of disability, e.g. your Personal independence payment (PIP) or Disability living allowance (DLA) award letter
do not have arms or has a long term loss of the use of both arms - proof of disability, e.g. your Personal independence payment (PIP) or Disability living allowance (DLA) award letter
a learning disability, which includes impairment of intelligence and social functioning - confirmation of your condition from a specialist agency or charity providing services for people with learning disabilities, Headed letter from day hospitals or institutions or an Education Health Care Plan
unable to have a driving licence due to disability - a letter from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) confirming refusal of your application under section 92 physical fitness, a completed declaration from your key worker in the assertive outreach team or a supporting letter from a specialist agency or charity confirming your primary diagnosis precludes you from holding a licence to drive a motor vehicle
Please note: eligibility under this category will be considered on the grounds of physical fitness regardless of age and anyone who has been refused a driving licence, or is likely to be refused a driving licence through a persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol, will not qualify for a national bus pass

If you are unable to provide any accepted forms of evidence you will need to request a declaration form, which, following completion would be sent to your doctor/consultant to verify. These forms are only issued once all other options have been exhausted. A member of staff may want to discuss your application with you further at this point.

Email to request a form

Is a child eligible for a disabled bus pass?

5 to 15 year olds who have a disability matching the eligibility criteria would qualify for a disabled bus pass. Please see the question and answer above for eligibility criteria.

My bus pass is due to expire, how do I renew it?

Older person’s - you will automatically receive a renewal letter approximately 8 weeks before the expiry date. A letter will explain how to renew with an option to do this on our renew and replace page using a unique renewal code.

Permanently disabled - you will automatically receive a renewal letter approximately eight weeks before the expiry date. A letter will explain how to renew with an option to do this on our renew and replace page using a unique renewal code.

Non-permanently disabled - you will automatically receive a renewal letter approximately eight weeks before the expiry date. The letter will explain how to renew and include an evidence sheet which details the various categories of evidence required to support the disabled application.

How do I inform the Concessionary team of a change of address?

Email proof of the new address i.e. utility bill or bank statement dated within the past three months to Travelcard@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk . You will also need to include your previous address so we can locate your record on our system.

How do I inform the concessionary team of a change of name?

Email proof of your change of name i.e. a copy of change of name deed to Travelcard@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk. You will need to include your previous name along with your address so we can locate your record on our system.

I have found a bus pass

If you find a bus pass please phone the concessionary helpline to inform us on: 01244 973 353.

Why can't I use my pass on the Park and Ride?

These services are not registered local bus services, they are known as 'premium services'. The difference being that they only stop at a small number of designated stops and no fares are taken on the buses.

What travel concessions are available to residents of Cheshire West and Chester?

The English National Concessionary Bus pass for Disabled and Older Persons. Senior Railcard discount codes and Disabled Persons Railcard discount codes are also available.

I have recently moved into the borough, I have a bus pass that is still in date that was issued by another council. Do I need to make a new application or can I carry on using my current pass until it expires?

You need to advise the previous issuing authority, of your pass, that you have moved away so they can update your record. You will need to make a new application with us and provide evidence of your new residence. You will not be entitled to any local concessions if you don't make a new application, e.g. free travel across the border into Wales when boarding in Cheshire West as one continual journey.

Pass holders used to be able to trade in their bus pass for taxi vouchers, why is this no longer an option?

This used to be an additional local concession but funding has been withdrawn to support this.

Are there any services I can't go on with my bus pass?

Services exempt are: coaches, bus services that run for less than six weeks, tourist excursion and sight seeing buses, rail replacement services, bus services where the fare charged by the operator has a special amenity element, Express bus services such as National Express, night buses, trains, trams, ferries, metro-link or underground and Park and Ride services. Please read our terms and conditions (PDF, 64KB).

Residents of Merseyside can apply for a concessionary pass at the age of 60, why can't Cheshire West residents?

Merseyside fund this local concession for their residents. We follow the National Scheme.

Residents of Merseyside can use their concessionary pass on the trains and Mersey Ferries, why can't Cheshire West residents?

Merseyside fund this local concession for their residents. We follow the National Scheme.

TfGM offer Women born between 6 October 1953 and 5 November 1954 to apply for a Concessionary Travel pass which allows them to travel on buses, trains and trams, why doesn't Cheshire West offer residents a Women's concessionary pass?

TfGM fund this local concession for their residents. We follow the National Scheme.

Please read our terms and conditions (PDF, 64KB).

Published particulars

The published particulars of the Cheshire consortium bus operator reimbursement scheme is the detailed agreed scheme between us and bus operators for the operation of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme in Cheshire West and Chester.

Getting out and about

Shopmobility

Community toilet scheme and RADAR keys

Motability scheme

Blue Badge

Concessionary Travel

Community transport - PlusBus, Dial a Ride

Access for people with disabilities