Shock and Horror (1 Viewer)

[stonflo]

Cant use OAP bus passes on Blackpool trams.:Angry::thumbdown::thumbdown:

 

[chaser]

Since when thought it was to good to be true when we used them from fleet wood last year.

 

[Linda and Steph]

Since when? They could be used before the new year although we haven't been there since December.

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[Linda and Steph]

Nooooooooo

English National Concessionary Travel Scheme

Changes took place to the Travel Concession Authorities administration and funding arrangements from 1st April 2014. The current travel concessions under the scheme which affect Blackpool Transport are as follows:

Concessions for older and disabled persons

Holders of valid English National Concessionary Travel scheme passes can travel free of charge on journeys on Blackpool Transport local bus services which operate between 0930 and 2300 Mondays to Fridays and at anytime on Saturdays, Sundays or Bank Holidays. Holders of NoWcard English National Concessionary Travel Scheme passes issued to disabled pass holders by Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen or Blackpool Councils can travel at a 50p flat fare on journeys on Blackpool Transport local bus services which commence before 0930 Mondays to Fridays.

Visitors should also note that we scan the computer chip in each ENCTS card, which must be handed to the driver or conductor to qualify for free travel – the ticket machine will check the pass is valid and you will then be issued with a zero fare ticket. You must keep this proof of purchase throughout your journey, and our inspectors may wish to examine both pass and ticket during the journey. We issue free tickets to satisfy the funding rules for free travel - as you can imagine, with so many visitors from so many places claiming free travel, Blackpool’s ticketing and reimbursement system is very complex behind the scenes.

Blackpool Tramway from 1st April 2014

From Tuesday 1st April only Blackpool Concessionary Travel Pass holders will be able to travel free of charge on the Blackpool Tramway from 0930 and 2300 Mondays to Saturdays and at anytime on Saturdays, Sundays or Bank Holidays.

Concessions for companions of disabled persons

Some local authorities issue passes for carers who are accompanying passengers with pronounced disabilities. These are only valid in the area of the issuing authority and are not national passes. Currently Lancashire does not issue carer’s passes and therefore we are sorry but no carer’s passes are valid on our buses or trams in any circumstances. This is not a transport operator policy but has been decided by the fundholders. Lancashire is currently working with bus operators to develop a manageable companion pass scheme. Please do not be offended if the driver or conductor refuses to give free travel to someone producing a carer’s pass as it is simply not valid in this part of England yet.

 

[pappajohn]

council subsidies cut back.

 

[Linda and Steph]

A bit more information:


Changes to Blackpool concessionary arrangements confirmed
Posted on Friday 7 March 2014 by Andrew Waddington
As predicted, Blackpool Council are to withdraw the provision of free tram travel in Blackpool for non-Blackpool residents eligible for the English National Travel Concession Scheme, with effect from 1st April. Despite hopes that Lancashire County Council would step in to fund this provision, a decision has now been taken that this will not go ahead, so within a few short weeks only people who live in Blackpool will be able to use their concessionary travel passes on the tramway.

Lancashire County Council do operate a mandatory scheme enabling local residents free tram travel, except for some restrictions on early mornings and during the illuminations, but this does not extend beyond the boundaries of Blackpool itself. Previously Blackpool Council had funded such travel for residents of Fleetwood etc. as well as tourists from elsewhere in England, but this will end shortly due to severe cutbacks. As the national scheme does not apply to trams and light rail, neither Blackpool Council or Lancashire County Council are obliged to finance this and the potential number of senior citizens who have not surprisingly taken advantage of the offer in the last couple of years has proved to be a financial burden. With Blackpool Transport already under immense pressure to turn a profit, offering free travel on the trams without at least part of the usual fare being supplied by a local authority is clearly not an option.

http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/news/?p=6759

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[GJH]

It's a pity (as we found it useful) but understandable as we can't expect local taxpayers to subsidise us at the expense of spending on services they will use. There are plenty of buses on most of the routes as the trams serve (though maybe not quite as convenient) so nobody should suffer too much.

 

[stonflo]

Thanks for all the replys. We do like to go to Thornton for fish and chips then on to Fleetwood for afternoon tea by tram.
We will now cycle from South Shore to Fleetwood in an attempt to wear out the tarmac. My wife is 65 and I'm 72.:Cool::thumb::thumb: