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New National Travel Passes in the post
The new National Travel pass
The new National Travel pass

Thousands of new National Travel Passes are now in the post to over 60s and eligible disabled people in our region.

Transport bosses at Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) have issued the new passes, which will offer one of the best free travel deals in the country.

Pass holders will be able to travel for free on off-peak local bus services across England when the new National Bus Travel Concession Scheme launches next week on April 1.

Greater Manchester residents will also continue to benefit from free travel on local trains and trams after 9.30am, with concessions before then.

Steve Warrener, GMPTE's Director of Finance and Corporate Services, said: "More than 300,000 people in Greater Manchester have applied for a new national travel pass and we are pleased that so many people have taken up the offer.

"The new smartcard style passes will start arriving with people this week and will offer a fantastic range of free travel opportunities. Anyone who hasn't applied for a pass yet still has time to do so.

"Existing GMPTE passes will continue to be valid on Greater Manchester services through til the end of September. But it's important to apply for a new pass soon as possible if you want to travel for free on local bus services throughout England."

People who have not yet applied for a travel pass should drop into the GMPTE Travelshop at their local bus station. Staff can verify people's age from their ID documents there and then and help them complete a form.

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". Postal applications should include photocopies of ID documents, not originals.

7:14pm Tuesday 25th March 2008

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Posted by: werty, bolton on 8:46pm Tue 25 Mar 08
Should be a rush to the seaside this summer, all change at wigan, won,t be long till long distance records are set. This is an opportunity to revive boarding house fortunes on routes to far flung places, an amazing opportunity for travel agents.
Posted by: vindiboy, Bury on 9:59pm Tue 25 Mar 08
It'll be a case of:
"Here We Go, Here We Go, Here We Go!!!!
Posted by: David, Sharples on 6:56am Wed 26 Mar 08
A good time to buy shares in Stagecoach - they will make a fortune.
Posted by: amosc99, Hoofdorp on 7:30am Wed 26 Mar 08
David wrote:
A good time to buy shares in Stagecoach - they will make a fortune.
why not First Group (First Manchester) or Transdev (Lancashire United and Accrington Transport)???
Posted by: Capt.Farnworth, Farnworth on 4:09pm Wed 26 Mar 08
The passes are for local 'council' buses only NOT Stagecoach or London Transport.
The idea of going 'coast to coast' for free is a myth.
Posted by: outraged ramsbottom, Ramsbottom on 2:52pm Sat 29 Mar 08
29th March- I have still not received my new bus pass but my husband has. Neither did I receive a form last November but he did. As I understand names etc were taken off the electoral role why did this error occur. Sloppy attention to detail as usual and grossly inefficient service.
Posted by: Kate, Old Trafford on 2:44pm Mon 31 Mar 08
31st March and still not received. I applied ages ago. What a dismal performance!
Posted by: David, Stockport on 1:21am Mon 7 Apr 08
April 7th - I haven't received my card yet, and will be expecting a claims form for journeys outside GMPTE area which I could have taken free of charge. Very inefficient service from GMPTE as I applied in February.
Posted by: Dennis, Openshaw M/c. on 10:40am Thu 17 Apr 08
My wife and I both applied for our travel passes in January. It is now the middle of April and no passes have arrived. We travel a lot to the north west and we are still having to pay our fares which we should not have had to pay for since the 1st. of April.When I went to your web site I was told by a mechanical sounding voice that the passes were in the post and that we could recieve them in the next 5 to 6 weeks.What I want to know is who will reimburse us the fares which we will have to pay during the next 5 to 6 weeks untilwe get our passes.
P.S.
I just want to point out that my sister who lives in Ashton-u-Lyne applied in March and has received hers on time.What does that say for GMPTE.
INCOMPETENCE
Posted by: dave mace on 10:50am Sun 11 May 08
fortunatly, I live on the wirral and I didn;t even need to apply for my pass as I already held a local pass and the new one was sent automaticaly
quote
Posted by: jl rit, west lancs on 4:16pm Fri 13 Jun 08
it is now june and no passes in west lancs yet
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