The Mobility Pass
The mobility pass entitles you to travel on all buses, trams and trains in South Yorkshire, at any time (except on late night train services) for free. Further details can be obtained from the 'Traveline' on Rotherham (01709) 515151, or from any Travel South Yorkshire Information Centre.
Since the 1st April 2007 if you qualify for the mobility pass and satisfy the extra qualifying rule, a helper can also travel with you free of charge. See 'The With Carer Addition' below.
From the 1st April 2008 you can also travel off peak on local buses across England, see 'Where can I use my Mobility Pass?' below.
Do I qualify?
Yes, if you live in Doncaster and you:
- have any disability which seriously impairs your ability to walk
- have a learning disability
- have been, or would be, refused a driving licence on medical grounds (other than on the grounds of persistent misuse of drugs and/or alcohol) e.g. epilepsy
- are profoundly deaf
- are without the use of both arms
- are registered blind or partially-sighted
- receive the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance (Mobility part)
- receive a war pensioner's mobility supplement
If you are 65 or older, unless you are registered blind or partially-sighted or need the 'with carer' pass, you must apply for a Senior Citizen's Travel pass, but it is not valid until 9am on Mondays to Fridays (all day on weekends and bank holidays). Senior Citizen's Travel passes are available from the age of 60.
There is no lower age limit to apply for a Mobility Travel Pass.
The 'With Carer Addition'
Since the 1st April 2007 if you qualify for the Mobility Travel Pass and satisfy the extra qualifying rule, a helper can also travel with you free of charge. This is called a 'with carer' pass.
The extra qualifying rule for this addition is that you receive the high rate care part of Disability Living Allowance or the higher rate of Attendance Allowance. We must see proof of the Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance, as well as any proof for the Mobility Travel Pass.
Existing pass holders who want to claim for this addition, should contact us and provide proof of the Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance. We will issue a new letter, which you take to a Travel South Yorkshire Information Centre and they will pass the new details on to the private company that is managing the national scheme. They will issue the new pass to you by post.
Please note the ‘carer’ has to be travelling with the pass holder to travel free but does not have to be the same person everytime you travel. The title 'carer' is used to cover anyone helping you to travel and can be, for example, a relative, friend, support worker or professional carer.
Where can I use my Mobility Pass?
Mobility Passes are valid on all bus, tram and local train services (standard class travel) within South Yorkshire, except late night services.
You must pay the appropriate ordinary fare for any part of a tram or train journey that is outside South Yorkshire. If you board the train at a staffed station, you must buy your ticket before boarding.
From the 1st April 2008 you (and a carer if you qualify for the 'with carer' pass) have been able to travel for free on any off peak local bus journey in England. Off peak is from 9.30am to 11.00pm Monday to Friday and all day at weekends or bank holidays. The concessions in South Yorkshire continued to apply after the 1st April 2008 but only to South Yorkshire pass holders.
To travel in England you will need the new 'English Concession' pass, which has been issued automatically from the 1st April 2008. If you have an old pass and have not received or applied for the new one, please go into a Travel South Yorkshire Information Centre with your old pass, a new passport size photo and proof of your age and address. They will check your details, pass them on to the private company that is managing the national scheme and they will issue your pass to you by post.
A leaflet called 'How Far Can I Go?' can be obtained from a Travel South Yorkshire Information Centre, or by calling 'Traveline' on Rotherham (01709) 515151. All calls are charged at local rate.
How do I apply for a Mobility Pass?
If you think you might qualify, you should fill in an application form. An Adobe Acrobat version of our application form can be downloaded below. (There is a large print version of the application form too). You can also contact us by phoning (01302) 735336, or writing to the address given above.
When you send or hand your form in to us, you may also need to include proof of your disability. The type of proof depends on the reason that you are applying for the mobility pass. The application form tells you what proof we need.
If your driving licence has been taken from you for medical reasons, we will need to see form D206 or D235 from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
Part 5 of the application form refers to a 'Request for Medical Information' form. The Request for Medical Information form, (including a large print version) can also be downloaded below.
Once we have all the information we need, we will write to you and let you know if you qualify for a Mobility Travel Pass.
If you qualify you will be asked to go to the Travel South Yorkshire Information office on: First Floor, Frenchgate Centre, Doncaster. You will need to take the letter, proof of your name, address, date of birth and 2 passport size photographs with you. They will check your details, pass them on to the private company that is managing the national scheme and they will issue your pass to you by post. A friend or relative can take in the details for you and the pass will still be posted to you.
This scheme is operated by all of the authorities in South Yorkshire. If you live in Barnsley, Rotherham or Sheffield you should contact your local council.
Does my pass run out?
Your Mobility Travel Pass is issued for a period not exceeding five years, or until you reach 65 years of age, whichever comes first.
There are exceptions: passes are issued 'for life' if you are blind or partially sighted or continue to satisfy the criteria for a pass and you need a carer to travel with you. Passes can also be awarded without a two year limit (but will still end at 65) depending on the medical/ disability reasons for qualifying for a pass and each application will be considered for this.
Your Travel Pass can be renewed, if you are under 65, up to a month before it expires. The expiry date will be shown on the front of the pass. You will need to complete a new application form and provide proof of your disability.
An Adobe Acrobat version of our application form can be downloaded above. You can also contact us by phoning (01302) 735336, or writing to the address given above.
Once we have all the information we need, we will write to you and let you know if you still qualify for a Mobility Travel Pass.
If you qualify you can then take the letter, your old Travel Pass and some form of identification, including proof of your address and age, to the Travel South Yorkshire Information Centre on: First Floor, Frenchgate Centre, Doncaster.
They will check your details, pass them on to the private company that is managing the national scheme and they will issue your pass to you by post. A friend or relative can take in the details for you and the pass will still be posted to you.
You can also renew your pass by post, to do this send in the letter, old pass, proof of your age and address to: Travel South Yorkshire Information Centre, 18a Food Mall, Frechgate, Doncaster DN1 1LB.
From the 1st October 2008 old passes (issued before the 1st April 2008) were no longer valid and you now need the new 'English Concession' pass or you will have to pay full fare.
Even if you do not want to travel outside Doncaster you need a new pass.
If you have an old pass and have not received or applied for the new one, please go into a Travel South Yorkshire Information Centre with your old pass, a new passport size photo and proof of your age and address. They will check your details, pass them on to the private company that is managing the national scheme and they will issue your pass to you by post.
A friend or relative can take in the details for you and the pass will still be posted to you.
Lost Pass
If you have lost your Mobility Travel Pass you should contact Travel South Yorkshire at the 1st Floor Frenchgate Centre Office. A £5 charge is made for issuing a replacement pass.
You should also contact Travel South Yorkshire if your pass is stolen, damaged or your address details change. There is usually no charge for these.
Housing & Council Tax Benefits - Frequently Asked Questions
