English National Concessionary Travel Scheme

Incorporating The Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackpool Council Joint Concessionary Travel Scheme 2011-2013

Changes took place to the Travel Concession Authorities administration and funding arrangements from 1st April 2011. 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.

Holders of English National Concessionary Travel Scheme passes can travel free of charge between 0930 and 2300 Mondays to Fridays and at anytime on Saturdays, Sundays or Bank Holidays on Tramcar services in Blackpool and Wyre (except after 6pm during the Illuminations Period on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and the October half term).

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.

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.