Bus Pass, Tokens and Railcard

Permanent West Oxfordshire residents may be eligible for Concessionary Travel with the option of receiving either a National Bus Pass, National Transport Tokens or Senior Railcard.

Bus Pass
Nationally the free fare Bus Pass can only be used on weekdays, from 9.30am. There are no time restrictions at weekends or bank holidays. The pass may be used on scheduled bus services operating in England. Passes issued by West Oxfordshire District Council will entitle holders to travel from 9.00am in West Oxfordshire.

See our frequently asked questions for more details.

National Transport Tokens
The Council is continuing to offer National Transport Tokens to the value of £31.00 for the financial year 2008/09. Each token is worth £1.00 and can be used as cash on public transport, ie buses, trains and participating licensed taxis. Eligible residents can use the tokens on public transport at any time of the day.

Senior Railcard
The Council will continue to offer a Senior Railcard that entitles applicants who are aged 60 years or over to make rail journeys at a reduced fare.

Please note:

If you select either TOKENS or SENIOR RAILCARD as your preferred travel concession, you forgo your entitlement to the statutory free fare BUS PASS.
You may only change from one travel concession to another after twelve months, this being on the anniversary of your birthday.

Who qualifies?
Permanent West Oxfordshire residents who are either:

60 years of age or over; or
blind or partially sighted; or
profoundly or severely deaf; or
without speech; or
have a disability or have suffered an injury which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to walk; or
do not have arms or have long-term loss of the use of both arms; or
have a learning disability, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence or social functioning; or
have been refused a driving licence on medical grounds under the Road Traffic Acts; or
specified companions (Carers) of any eligible person, who in the opinion of this Council are so severely disabled or handicapped as to require the assistance of a companion in order to be able to travel on public transport. The Council may require a letter from a GP. Carers may only use a travel pass/tokens when accompanying an eligible person.

How to apply

If you are applying a bus pass please complete our Bus Pass Application Form. Please note this application form will be electronically scanned therefore please follow the completion instructions on the form and do not resize the form.
To apply for token or a railcard please print off and complete our Token and Railcard Application form.
Applications can be made either by post or by calling at the Council's Town Centre Shop, 3 Welch Way, Witney, Oxon. OX28 6JH or The Guildhall, Goddards Lane, Chipping Norton, Oxon. OX7 5NJ.
The application form must be submitted with evidence of qualification (see below) and proof that you are resident within West Oxfordshire.
If you require a Bus Pass, the application form must be submitted with 1 colour passport size photograph of yourself attached as specified on the form. If you apply in person at the Town Centre Shop in Witney or the Chipping Norton Guildhall we can take a digital photograph for free.

Evidence of qualification
Photocopies of any of the following documents:

Age:

Retirement Pension Book
Notification of entitlement to pension
Birth Certificate
Passport
Driving Licence

Disability:

Disability Living Allowance combination of care (higher or middle rate) and mobility (higher or lower). A current award letter outlining these details will automatically entitle the applicant to a bus pass.
A supporting letter from your GP outlining how your condition matches the criteria outlined earlier. A letter from a GP may not be enough evidence on its own and we may ask for further proof of disability.

In case of difficulty completing the application form, please contact Reception Services on 01993 861090, or complete the online General Enquiry Form.