It wouldn't be a good look to refuse a pass if it appears to be valid and is being used by the person shown in the photograph, but if a pass is clearly expired or being used by someone other than the pass-holder, I'd imagine that a driver would be within their rights to refuse. In the former case it could be that there's some discretion allowed (eg, if a pass has only expired by a few days), but I wouldn't expect any leniency for attempted fraudulent use.
I worked with a colleague who was very particular about his job and would check photos on passes etc. he went through a phase of confiscating 2-3 passes a day from people using them that were not the pass holder. He got pulled upstairs by a manager and told to stop as it wasn’t worth the hassle.
Just show it to the bus driver as they don't work on the readers, though they are valid Most drivers will just nod, though the odd one will point to the reader. I travel to London regularly with a S Yorks pass and never had any problems.
I just walk on confidently holding up the pass.
Indeed, for London that is the best method. Most drivers have no interest at all anyway.
I'm a London resident, and face the exact opposite issue in S Yorks. Between 2300 and 0930, orange passes (not sure if being issued by S Yorks makes a difference) fail to scan on the reader (despite being valid in S Yorks 24/7), but I have consistently passed the visual inspection at night/early morning. Although the trams' readers do correctly read the pass before 0930.
Mine never works in London. However, the refusal of bus drivers to communicate with their passengers usually means I flash the card to show them, they ignore it and I find a seat to sit down on. If it’s valid, there’s no reason to worry.
London bus ticket machines don't read non-London ENCTS passes, I'm not sure why.
but that's correct behaviour - nationally ENCTS cards aren't valid between 2300 and 0930 except on weekends
No, in South Yorkshire all Disabled passes are permitted to use buses and trams at any time of day, regard of where the pass was issued, with South Yorkshire holders having additional validity on trains. It’s probably the most lenient scheme outside of London…
My understanding is that West Yorkshire can specify what happens from West Yorkshire, but on the return journey it's up to the bus operator.
Lancashire cards don't have a companion component.
Yeah, I was a bit confused regarding what was meant by the ”companion part of disabled passes” too. The ECNTS generally does not have one as far as I know, so any that did would be an additional benefit offered by the particular council that issued it.
You're kidding me, I thought they were everywhere for those who need a companion for various mobility/safety reasons? That's shocking although it does answer the question as to why companion passes are valid one way if making a return trip into Lancashire/Greater Manchester from West Yorkshire. It also explains that Yorkshire councils are a lot more human than Lancashire councils lol.
And right he was. It's fraud at the end of the day and good on that driver for confiscating passes and doing exactly the right thing.
Unfortunately, just like how they think we would all be home by 2300, the statutory minimum is much lower than other countries in the UK. For instance, London does not offer companion passes at all - not even for residents who are so severely disabled that they require a high enough level of care to justify needing a carer 24/7...
I’m a driver in Manchester and as far as I’m aware it’s a different system here, if a companion is required they have their own card.
