Disabled adults

Everybody applying for the Concessionary Travel Scheme on the grounds of disability has to be initially assessed by the Social Services department of their Local Authority. You should, therefore, contact them for advice on what you need to take with you. If you are not sure how to contact them, call the concessionary Travel Bureau on 0191 203 3434. If you are eligible for a Concessionary Travel Pass, you will be given a Confirmation of Eligibility form.

If you have one of the following types of disability and live in Tyne and Wear, you may be entitled to a Concessionary Travel Pass.

• Registered as chronically sick and disabled and suffering from any disability with permanently and seriously impairs your ability to walk
• Permanently blind and unable to perform any duties for which normal sight is required
• Assessed as having learning difficulties
Registered as profoundly deaf, with or without speech
• Registered as partially sighted (where disability can be assessed by a Consultant Ophthalmologist)
• Without the use of arms, whether through the absence of limbs or otherwise
• Unable to drive having had a driving licence refused or revoked on medical grounds
• If you attend work or college for at least 15 hours a week, you can apply for an All Day Concessionary Travel Pass, which can be used at any time

All CT Passes and Metro Gold Cards are issued by post.

Please note that if you want a Metro Gold Card, and you do not already have a CT Pass, you will have to apply for one at the same time.

You have a choice of how to apply for your pass - either by post or in a TravelShop. If you apply by post, please send us photocopies of your proof of address, not the originals (Nexus accepts no responsibility if original documents are sent).

Send your application to:

Special envelopes addressed to Nexus are available in Nexus TravelShops for you to use to send your application to us.

However, if you choose to drop your application into a TravelShop, you can take originals of your proof of address. The TravelShop staff will check it and hand it straight back to you. They will then send your application to our Concessionary Travel Bureau for your pass to be issued. Most TravelShops also take passport photos for £3.

You will need to send us the following:

• Completed application form
• A colour passport photo (please write your name on the back)
• Your Confirmation of Eligibility form
• Proof that your permanent address is in Tyne and Wear
• A stamped self-addressed envelope
• If you are applying for an All Day pass – a letter from your employer, tutor or social worker confirming that you attend work or college for at least 15 hours a week.
• £12 – if you are applying for a Metro Gold Card (by cheque or postal order made payable to Nexus if applying by post, cash if via a TravelShop)

The following documents are acceptable as proof of your address - a council tax bill, gas bill, electricity bill or phone bill.

If you think you lost your pass while using public transport, please contact the appropriate operator. Call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 if you are unsure which operator’s service you were on.

If the operator has not found your pass, you will need to complete a new application form. A replacement Concessionary Travel Pass or Metro Gold Card cost £3 each.

You will need to send us the following:

• Completed application form
• A stamped self-addressed envelope
• £3 if you have lost your Concessionary Travel Pass or Metro Gold Card, £6 if you have lost both your Concessionary Travel Pass and Metro Gold Card (cheque or postal order made payable to Nexus if posting, cash can be paid at any TravelShop).

You can renew your pass during the month that it runs out or in the month before that. You will need to complete a new application form. There is no charge for renewing your Concessionary Travel Pass. You do not need to send in your current or expired CT Pass when you renew it.

You will need to send us the following:

• Completed application form
• A stamped self-addressed envelope
• If you qualify for the scheme because of refusal/revocation of a driving licence, you will need to provide a self-certification form. These are available from Nexus Travelshops or can be sent to you by the Concessionary Travel Bureau – call them on 0191 20 20 720.
• If you are applying for an All Day Pass – a letter from your employer, tutor or social worker confirming that you attend work or college for at least 15 hours a week.

On buses – show the driver your pass when you board the bus after 9.30am Monday-Friday, all day at weekends and on public holidays. You must pay the full adult fare before 9.30am Monday-Friday.

On the Shields Ferry – show the ferry operator your pass to buy your 50p ticket from 9.30am Monday-Friday, all day at weekends and on public holidays. You must pay the full adult fare before 9.30am Monday-Friday.

On Northern Rail services between Newcastle and MetroCentre/Blaydon – from 9.30am Monday-Friday, all day at weekends and on public holidays, either buy your 50p ticket from a ticket machine or buy it from the conductor; you will need to show the conductor your pass. You must pay the full adult fare before 9.30am Monday-Friday.

On all Metro services and Northern Rail services between Newcastle and Sunderland, if you do not have a Metro Gold Card, you must pay the full adult fare at all times.

On Metro – show an inspector your Metro Gold Card when requested, from 9.30am Monday-Friday and all day at weekends and on public holidays. You must pay the full adult fare at all other times.

On Northern Rail services between Newcastle and Sunderland – from 9.30 Monday-Friday and all day at weekends and on public holidays, show the conductor your Metro Gold Card. You must pay the full adult fare at all other times.

On buses – show the driver your pass when you board the bus.

On the Shields Ferry – show the ferry operator your pass to buy your 50p ticket.

On Northern Rail services between Newcastle and MetroCentre/Blaydon - either buy your 50p ticket from a ticket machine or buy it from the conductor; you will need to show the conductor your pass.

On all Metro services and Northern Rail services between Newcastle and Sunderland, if you do not have a Metro Gold Card, you must pay the full adult fare at all times.

On Metro – show an inspector your Metro Gold Card when requested.

On Northern Rail services between Newcastle and Sunderland – show the conductor your Metro Gold Card.