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New Travel Pass on way for 1st April
Reporter: Ask Bury
Date online: 12 March 2008
Transport bosses at Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) are gearing up to mail out hundreds of thousands of the new National Travel Passes to over 60s and eligible disabled people.
More than 300,000 Greater Manchester residents have so far applied for a new pass - which will entitle them to free travel on off-peak local bus services across England from 1 April.
The new smartcard-style passes will start landing on doormats in Bury after Easter.
GMPTE's Interim Service Delivery Director, Michael Renshaw, said: "We're holding off issuing the new passes until the end of the month so as not to cause confusion, as they won't be valid until the new national travel scheme launches on 1 April.
"There's no need to worry if you haven't received yours, they are on the way soon.
"This has been a massive project for GMPTE - and other travel authorities across England. We've been publicising the new scheme since October last year to give people plenty of time to apply.
"We have clearly got the message across as over 70% of people eligible for a pass in Greater Manchester have taken up the offer. I'm sure they will welcome the greater freedom to travel that the new pass will give them."
Greater Manchester pass holders will also continue to benefit from one of the best free travel deals in the country. The GMPTE logo on the new national passes means that they can also be used for free on local trains and trams after 9.30am - and concessions before then.
Anyone who has not yet applied for a new National Travel Pass can still do so over the coming weeks and months. Existing GMPTE passes will remain valid for free travel on local bus, train and tram services until the end of September 2008.
People can fill in an application form at the GMPTE Travelshop at their local bus station. It is essential that they 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 lt;mailto:passes2008@gmpte.gov.uk>
More information on the new National Concessionary Travel Scheme is available from www.gmpte.com lt;http://www.gmpte.com>
More than 300,000 Greater Manchester residents have so far applied for a new pass - which will entitle them to free travel on off-peak local bus services across England from 1 April.
The new smartcard-style passes will start landing on doormats in Bury after Easter.
GMPTE's Interim Service Delivery Director, Michael Renshaw, said: "We're holding off issuing the new passes until the end of the month so as not to cause confusion, as they won't be valid until the new national travel scheme launches on 1 April.
"There's no need to worry if you haven't received yours, they are on the way soon.
"This has been a massive project for GMPTE - and other travel authorities across England. We've been publicising the new scheme since October last year to give people plenty of time to apply.
"We have clearly got the message across as over 70% of people eligible for a pass in Greater Manchester have taken up the offer. I'm sure they will welcome the greater freedom to travel that the new pass will give them."
Greater Manchester pass holders will also continue to benefit from one of the best free travel deals in the country. The GMPTE logo on the new national passes means that they can also be used for free on local trains and trams after 9.30am - and concessions before then.
Anyone who has not yet applied for a new National Travel Pass can still do so over the coming weeks and months. Existing GMPTE passes will remain valid for free travel on local bus, train and tram services until the end of September 2008.
People can fill in an application form at the GMPTE Travelshop at their local bus station. It is essential that they 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 lt;mailto:passes2008@gmpte.gov.uk>
More information on the new National Concessionary Travel Scheme is available from www.gmpte.com lt;http://www.gmpte.com>
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