Bus Permit FAQ's

Existing permit holders

I already have a permit, can I carry on using it?
Yes, your current permit is valid until 31 March 2008. Continue to use it as normal until then.

I already have a permit, how do I get a new one?
You do not need to do anything. The Council will write to you and ask you to provide a passport-size photograph, which will be needed for security purposes. If you do supply a photograph when requested, your new permit will be posted to your home address shortly before 1 April 2008.

Do I have to pay for the new permit?
No. The new permit is free.

Where can I travel with the new permit?
You can travel anywhere in England.

When can I travel with the new permit?

Free travel times within Surrey
	Weekdays	Weekends	Bank Holidays
Over 60s	9am-11pm	Anytime	Anytime
Disabled	Unrestricted travel at any time

Free travel times outside of Surrey
	Weekdays	Weekends	Bank Holidays
Over 60s	9.30am-11pm	Anytime	Anytime
Disabled	9.30am-11pm	Anytime	Anytime

Why do I now have to have my photograph on the new permit?
As permit-holders will be entitled to free travel throughout England the permit will become a valuable commodity. The Department for Transport has decided that photographs must be included as a fraud prevention measure. Bus drivers will be expected to check that the person requesting free travel is entitled to do so. A photograph on the permit is the most appropriate method of doing this.

Photographs are expensive, why is the Council not paying for them?
The Council simply cannot afford to pay for the provision of photographs. There are currently 17,500 permit-holders within Guildford borough and this is expected to rise to 22,000 when the new scheme comes into effect next April. The cost of photographs makes this prohibitively expensive for the Council.

Can I send you a photograph electronically?
No, due to technical issues we are currently unable to accept photographs electronically.

Should I supply a colour or black and white photograph?
Colour.

Do you want a full-length photograph or just head and shoulders ?
The photograph should show a close-up of your head and shoulders facing forwards, looking straight towards the camera and without a hat etc.

When will I get my new permit?
Your new permit will be posted to your home address shortly before 1 April 2008.

Are you sure that the new permits will be supplied in time for 1 April?
Yes, the Council is confident that permits will be delivered in time. However, contingency plans will be put in place to ensure that permit-holders will be able to continue to use their existing permits in the event of non-delivery of new ones.

If I lose my permit, do I have to pay for a replacement?
Currently no charge is made for the supply of replacement permits. However, this policy will be reviewed at some time in the future and it is possible that a charge will be introduced.

I have lost my permit, how do I get a replacement?
Contact the Bus Permits Team.

Bus Permits Team
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BB

Tel: 01483 444823 or 01483 444824
Email: buspermits@guildford.gov.uk

Will bus drivers recognise the new permit?
Yes. All bus companies have undertaken to provide training for their drivers. The same design of permit will be used throughout England so that it should be easily recognised wherever you travel.

Will bus drivers be aware that I am entitled to free travel anywhere in this country?
Yes. As part of their training, all bus drivers will be made aware that travel for permit-holders is free throughout England.

How do I get a photograph?
Anywhere that supplies passport photographs will be able to help (photographers, photo booths, etc.). The requirements are exactly the same as for passport photographs. You may own, or know someone who owns, a digital camera. In which case you can produce your own, you need to supply a print of the photograph as requested in the letter that was sent to you.

Where is the nearest photo-booth?
There is no central directory of photo-booths available. Most shopping centres will have one. We do know that photo-booths are located on the ground floor of the Friary Centre and at Guildford Post Office and Sainsburys Burpham. Snappy Snaps in Swan Lane, Guildford can produce a passport style photo if you are unable to use a photo booth.

Applying for a permit for the first time

I have heard about the new scheme, how do I get a permit?
If you live in the Borough of Guildford, are aged 60 or over or qualify through disability, you can apply to the Borough Council for a permit. Application forms can be downloaded from the bus permits pages.

Alternatively you can contact the Bus Permits team using the contact details displayed on this page, or call in person to the Cash Office in the Council offices at Millmead House during the following hours.

9am to 4.30pm Monday to Thursday
9am to 4pm on Friday

Bus Permits Team
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BB

Tel: 01483 444823 or 01483 444824
Email: buspermits@guildford.gov.uk

Do I have to pay for the new permit?
No. The new permit is free.

Where can I travel with the new permit?
You can travel anywhere in England.

I am disabled, can I get a permit?
To get a permit, you must live within the Borough of Guildford, be aged 5 or over* and one of the following:

Blind or partially sighted
Profoundly or severely deaf
Without speech
Suffering from a permanent disability or injury, which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on your ability to walk
Without the use of both arms
Have a learning disability (as defined in the Transport Act 2000)
Refused or likely to be refused a driving licence on medical grounds

*Children aged between 5 and 15 must be included on the Surrey Children’s Disability Register

I am disabled, can I travel at any time?
There are no restrictions for disabled people travelling in Surrey. 'The Surrey Scheme' will mean free travel at any time, any day of the week.
However, disabled people travelling outside of Surrey ('The National Scheme') will only be able to travel free between 9.30am and 11pm on weekdays, but will have free travel at anytime at weekends and bank holidays.

I am disabled and unable to get on and off a bus without assistance, can I have a companion permit?
There is no provision in the current legislation that specifies that companion permits must be issued. The Government has left it open to individual local authorities to fund companion permits at their discretion. Discussions are currently taking place with authorities throughout the South East region and with the major bus companies. A decision is expected in October.

Should I supply a colour or black and white photograph?
Colour.

Do you want a full-length photograph or just head and shoulders?
The photograph should show a close-up of your head and shoulders facing forwards, looking straight towards the camera and without a hat etc.

Why can’t I apply on-line if I do not currently have a bus permit?
When applying for a pass, you have to provide documentary evidence and this must be seen by a member of Council staff. An application form can be downloaded from form the bus permits page.

When will I get my new permit?
Your new permit will be posted to your home address shortly before 1 April 2008.

Are you sure that the new permits will be supplied in time for 1 April 2008?
Yes, the Council is confident that permits will be delivered in time. However, contingency plans will be put in place to ensure that permit-holders will be able to continue to use their existing permits in the event of non-delivery of new ones.

I (or my spouse, partner, friend, neighbour) will be 60 before 1 April 2008, when can I (they) apply for a permit?
Applications can be made before a resident attains the age of 60 but the permit cannot be issued until your 60th birthday.

I have lost my permit, how do I get a replacement?
Contact the Bus Permits Team.

Bus Permits Team
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BB

Tel: 01483 444823 or 01483 444824
Email: buspermits@guildford.gov.uk

How do I get a photograph?
Anywhere that supplies passport photographs will be able to help (photographers, photo booths, etc.). The requirements are exactly the same as for passport photographs. You may own, or know someone who owns, a digital camera and printer. In which case you can produce your own.

Please contact the bus permit team for any further information:

Bus Permits Team
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BB

Tel: 01483 444823 or 01483 444824
Email: buspermits@guildford.gov.uk

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