Archaic Process for Senior Citizens Bus Pass Issue

[Butts]

As I am not far off qualifying for one I thought I would look into the procedure to acquire said item.

In Scotland at least it seems to be called a National Entitlement Card and you have to apply at The Library in person with proof of your DOB and residency. That's all very well but new and replacement passes are currently unavailable according to Falkirk Councils website.

Is this "heath robinson" application fiasco the same in other Council Areas in Scotland and indeed the rest of the UK ?

Contrast it with applying for a senior railcard that can all be done online with a link to your Passport or Driving Licence confirming eligibility.

Surely Bus Passes could be issued and tracked in the same 21st Century fashion.

Perhaps they are in other areas of the Country ?

 

[GusB]

As I am not far off qualifying for one I thought I would look into the procedure to acquire said item.

In Scotland at least it seems to be called a National Entitlement Card and you have to apply at The Library in person with proof of your DOB and residency. That's all very well but new and replacement passes are currently unavailable according to Falkirk Councils website.

Is this "heath robinson" application fiasco the same in other Council Areas in Scotland and indeed the rest of the UK ?

Contrast it with applying for a senior railcard that can all be done online with a link to your Passport or Driving Licence confirming eligibility.

Surely Bus Passes could be issued and tracked in the same 21st Century fashion.

Perhaps they are in other areas of the Country ?

My local council doesn't seem to have the same issue. They just advise to take the relevant documentation to the library or local access point.

 

[Butts]

My local council doesn't seem to have the same issue. They just advise to take the relevant documentation to the library or local access point.

Why are online applications not commonplace ?

Have any Councils entered the modern era ?

 

[GusB]

Why are online applications not commonplace ?

Have any Councils entered the modern era ?

They may well accept scanned copies via email, but no web-based process as far as I'm aware, although I'd imagine it varies from council to council.
You could always email them: contact.centre@falkirk.gov.uk

 

[Butts]

They may well accept scanned copies via email, but no web-based process as far as I'm aware, although I'd imagine it varies from council to council.
You could always email them: contact.centre@falkirk.gov.uk

According to the website they are unable to issue new or replacement passes at the moment. (they are looking for a solution) What I am trying to find out is why the process is not a little more up to date and perhaps centralised.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

It's even worse for a disabled NEC.

I've been waiting 6 weeks for SPT to do mine.

 

[PG]

Considering it is called the National Entitlement Card, which indeed is valid Nationwide (in Scotland), surely one body could handle the administration e.g Transport Scotland instead of the myriad procedures required by leaving it up to individual councils to administer?

 

[GaryMcEwan]

There is a website now that allows you to apply for the 60+ NEC, but only certain councils accept online applications.

getyournec

Is the quick and easy way for Scottish residents to apply for a National Entitlement Card online!

getyournec.scot

 

[Volvodart]

This should have been done years ago. You wonder if it is related to the scheme regularly being underfunded, as a way of somehow limiting its use (because of the time taken and inconvenience of applying for it), plus the inconvenient process for getting a replacement card.

 

[Butts]

Anyone outwith Scotland ?

How does it work in other parts of the UK ?

Is it more "Apple" than "John Bull printing Set" - who is old enough to remember the latter

 

[randyrippley]

As I am not far off qualifying for one I thought I would look into the procedure to acquire said item.

In Scotland at least it seems to be called a National Entitlement Card and you have to apply at The Library in person with proof of your DOB and residency. That's all very well but new and replacement passes are currently unavailable according to Falkirk Councils website.

Is this "heath robinson" application fiasco the same in other Council Areas in Scotland and indeed the rest of the UK ?

Contrast it with applying for a senior railcard that can all be done online with a link to your Passport or Driving Licence confirming eligibility.

Surely Bus Passes could be issued and tracked in the same 21st Century fashion.

Perhaps they are in other areas of the Country ?

Why can't you just use your driving llicence as a bus pass?
It seems so obvious

 

[Jordan Adam]

Why can't you just use your driving llicence as a bus pass?
It seems so obvious

It would probably be too easy for people to create fake driving licenses just so they can get a free bus ride.

 

[Butts]

It would probably be too easy for people to create fake driving licenses just so they can get a free bus ride.

I wonder how many people do that with someone elses pass as the drivers barely give them a glance from what I've seen.

 

[AM9]

I wonder how many people do that with someone elses pass as the drivers barely give them a glance from what I've seen.

I can't speak for Scotland, but in my experience, seniors and those nearing that age tend to be more compliant of rules than younger citizens.

 

[AndyW33]

A high proportion of major operators in England use the embedded chips in the cards and the contactless reader built into most modern ticket machines to check validity. This is why (a) the driver doesn't need to look at them and (b) a driving licence wouldn't work as they don't have embedded chips. London of course has its own system and cards issued in London won't work contactlessly elsewhere, and the reverse is true too, that's when drivers do need to look.

 

[Deerfold]

Why can't you just use your driving llicence as a bus pass?
It seems so obvious

If you have one.

 

[Busaholic]

A high proportion of major operators in England use the embedded chips in the cards and the contactless reader built into most modern ticket machines to check validity. This is why (a) the driver doesn't need to look at them and (b) a driving licence wouldn't work as they don't have embedded chips. London of course has its own system and cards issued in London won't work contactlessly elsewhere, and the reverse is true too, that's when drivers do need to look.

In twelve years, I've only once had my details scrutinised by a driver, and that was in London where half the time you've no indication if they've even seen the pass or noted your presence!

 

[markymark2000]

A high proportion of major operators in England use the embedded chips in the cards and the contactless reader built into most modern ticket machines to check validity. This is why (a) the driver doesn't need to look at them and (b) a driving licence wouldn't work as they don't have embedded chips. London of course has its own system and cards issued in London won't work contactlessly elsewhere, and the reverse is true too, that's when drivers do need to look.

Anyone can tap a pass on the reader, it means nothing. You need to look at the photo to check the person tapping the pass is the person whom the pass belongs to. The only validity which the ticket machine checks is 'is this pass hotlisted' and 'is this pass valid in this region at this time'.

This is where the issue lies a lot of drivers don't even check normal bus ticket validity, let alone pass validity. I've spoken to multiple drivers who have said as long as the ticket looks right, they wave it on. One said 'it's my job to drive the bus, not argue with passengers about their ticket'.


As for the ENCTS passes, I think that councils want to stop people applying from out of the area and gaining the benefits (Not so relevant in Scotland but certainly in England where you can get train, tram and time enhancements depending on the authority). You also need a Passport photo as well for the pass so I assume that is why it's quite paper based as you need the proof of eligibility for the area.
Another point is that the majority of those who are eligible for the senior passes, are not tech savvy so would still stick to going into a library or whatever.

 

[cav1975]

Anyone outwith Scotland ?

How does it work in other parts of the UK ?

Is it more "Apple" than "John Bull printing Set" - who is old enough to remember the latter

Here in Medway it is entirely on line for the ENCTS pass - both for new passes and for renewals.

 

[CN04NRJ]

Anyone can tap a pass on the reader, it means nothing. You need to look at the photo to check the person tapping the pass is the person whom the pass belongs to. The only validity which the ticket machine checks is 'is this pass hotlisted' and 'is this pass valid in this region at this time'.

This is where the issue lies a lot of drivers don't even check normal bus ticket validity, let alone pass validity. I've spoken to multiple drivers who have said as long as the ticket looks right, they wave it on. One said 'it's my job to drive the bus, not argue with passengers about their ticket'.


As for the ENCTS passes, I think that councils want to stop people applying from out of the area and gaining the benefits (Not so relevant in Scotland but certainly in England where you can get train, tram and time enhancements depending on the authority). You also need a Passport photo as well for the pass so I assume that is why it's quite paper based as you need the proof of eligibility for the area.
Another point is that the majority of those who are eligible for the senior passes, are not tech savvy so would still stick to going into a library or whatever.

90% of the time you don't even get a chance to inspect the ticket properly, they just flash it and walk on and it's not worth the hassle calling back every individual passenger who does this as it would take too long.

 

[Busaholic]

Re photo identification on the bus pass - I had to provide a passport photo when I was 60, the photo I provided probably having been taken two or three years earlier, and my current pass takes me to age 75 with exactly the same photo!! I don't claim to have been a matinee idol in my 50s, but what I'd give to look like that now.

 

[Butts]

Here in Medway it is entirely on line for the ENCTS pass - both for new passes and for renewals.

So is it just Falkirk in the dark ages or is it a similar Victorian Process throughout Scotland ? - ie not online.

 

[Deerfold]

In West Yorkshire applications are encouraged on-line. You can get them at bus stations which are not evenly distributed throughout the county.

Senior Pass | Tickets & Passes

ticketsandpasses.wymetro.com

 

[PG]

So is it just Falkirk in the dark ages or is it a similar Victorian Process throughout Scotland ? - ie not online.

Aberdeenshire is similarly yet to see the light requiring a visit to the library or council office to fill in the requisite forms

 

[CN04NRJ]

In Wales, Transport for Wales issue all passes across the country and they can be applied for online;

https://portal.tfw.wales/en

 

[ivanhoe]

Leicestershire is fairly straightforward online and encouraged. You can download a form and apply by post.

 

[Butts]

Well things are on course luckily !!

I sent an e-mail to my Councillor who is also the leader of Falkirk Council bemoaning the current situation.

Within an hour I had an e-mail from some "Transport Czar" for Falkirk Council asking me to forward the relevant documentation to him and he would ensure I would have my Scottish National Entitlement Card prior to my upcoming Birthday.

Excellent service , almost (but not quite) enough to make me Vote SNP at the next Council Elections.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

Well things are on course luckily !!

I sent an e-mail to my Councillor who is also the leader of Falkirk Council bemoaning the current situation.

Within an hour I had an e-mail from some "Transport Czar" for Falkirk Council asking me to forward the relevant documentation to him and he would ensure I would have my Scottish National Entitlement Card prior to my upcoming Birthday.

Excellent service , almost (but not quite) enough to make me Vote SNP at the next Council Elections.

Wish I could at the same about SPT. I was initially told 4 weeks for my Disabled NEC, only to be told it's now 6 weeks as after they process the form, that then goes down to a company in England to actually get the card produced.

I know SPT are still stuck in the 70s but that's bloody ridiculous.

 

[Hardcastle]

It must be fantastic to get a bus pass at 65 let alone 60 - if you're one of those who has to wait till they are 66 in England. as a so called United Kingdom we should be all the same.

 

[Butts]

It must be fantastic to get a bus pass at 65 let alone 60 if your one of those who has to wait till they are 66 in England as a so called United Kingdom we should be all the same.

Get one at 60 up here, outrageously they withdrew the accompanying free Rail Travel in the Area a few years ago !!

However applied for my Senior Railcard as well to start on my Birthday - no time restrictions on it's use or indeed on the Bus Pass either.