Concessionary Travel Permits

Who can apply for a Permit?

You can apply for a permit if you live in Mid Beds or South Bedfordshire and you fall into any category listed on the explanatory leaflet (available from Council Offices). These include:

• You are a man or a woman aged 60 or over;
• You are able to register as blind or partially sighted;
• You have a disability or long term injury that seriously impairs your ability to walk; or you are without the use of both arms;
• You are unable to speak; or you are profoundly or severely deaf;
• You receive higher rate mobility component in your Disability Living Allowance; or you get the War Pensioners Mobility Supplement;
• You have a learning disability that reduces your capacity to cope independently or learn new skills (this does not include the mentally ill);
• You have been or would be refused a driving licence on medical grounds.

See the leaflet for further details about who qualifies - you can phone the Council on 08452 304040 for a copy.

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What documents do I need to apply for my permit?

if you are a new applicant and you are applying on grounds of age, you will need to supply:

• the completed form,
• a passport-size photograph of yourself which should be a good likeness and taken recently, and
• a copy of either your birth certificate or your passport
• a stamped and self addressed envelope

if you are a new applicant and you are applying on grounds of disabilty, you will need to supply:

• the completed form, certified by your doctor using their official stamp (on the reverse side of the form),
  or
• the completed form and proof of registration of your disability (for example a copy of your Disability Living Allowance)

If you are unsure please phone 08452 304040 for advice.

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What if I cannot travel alone?

If you qualify for a permit, but you cannot travel alone, you can apply for a special permit which allows a companion to travel with you at a reduced fare.

Please phone 08452 304040 for further details.

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How much does a Permit cost?

2 year permits were issued on 1st April 2005 and will continue to be issued until 31st April 2007 when they will expire.

From the 1st April 2006, although a fare is stated on the permit, they will continue to be issued free of charge.

Permit holders will be eligible to travel on local buses, free of charge, so long as the journey starts or finishes in Bedfordshire or Luton (see below).

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Where can I use it?

Permits can be used on local bus services anywhere in Bedfordshire and Luton, and to or from places outside the County (except where otherwise stated in the Scheme leaflet - available from Council Offices) provided that the journey starts or finishes in Bedfordshire or Luton.

A leaflet is available which sets out the bus companies which accept your permit. This is available from the Council offices or by phoning Mid Beds Council on 08452 304040.

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Can I travel by Rail too?

You can use your permit for half fare off-peak travel on First Capital Connect trains between Bedford and Elstree & Borehamwood stations, and on Silverlink County trains on the Marston Vale line between Bedford and Bletchley.

Simply show your permit and photocard when you buy your train ticket to save around 50% off the ordinary fare for any off-peak journey between these stations.

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I’m a new applicant - where can I get my Permit?

If you are applying for the first time, or have lapsed previously, your permit can be issued by :

• visiting the Citizone Points of Presence in Woburn Street Ampthill or
• Saffron Road, Biggleswade or
• at our offices at Priory House, Chicksands or
• by post

A completed application form, a passport type photograph and a stamped, self addressed envelope(postal applications only) will be required. (see note above re What Evidence do I need to supply?)

Forms can be obtained from Mid Beds Council’s Offices or by phoning 08452 304040.

If you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed and a printer connected to your computer you can print out the application form here.

Link to: Application Form (Adobe Acrobat Format)

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What if I’m an existing Permit holder? Where can I renew my Permit?

You can only apply to renew your permit in person at the Citizone Points of Presence or at Priory House, or by post to the address below.

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How do I renew my Permit by post?

To renew your existing permit by post please complete the RENEWAL FORM (available for download in Adobe Acrobat format (see link below), from the Citizone offices (PoPs) or Priory House and send it to:

Mid Beds District Council,
Priory House
Monks Walk
Chicksands
Shefford, SG17 5TQ

together with a stamped, self addressed envelope.

Please do NOT send your current permit or photocard.

If you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed and a printer connected to your computer you can print out the renewal form here.

Link to: Renewal Form (Adobe Acrobat Format)

For more information on concessionary travel permits please call Mid Beds District Council on 08452 30 40 40

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