Bus Permit FAQ's

I have heard about the National Bus permit scheme, how do I get a bus permit?

Senior Citizens
If you live in the Borough of Guildford on a permanent basis and are aged 60 or over you can apply for a bus permit. An application form can be collected at the Council offices or downloaded below.

Bus permit application form [PDF] (26k)

Disabled Persons
You can apply for a bus permit if you live in the Borough of Guildford on a permanent basis and are aged 5 or over and qualify through your disability with one of the following criteria:

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

or

a Certificate of Eligibility should be obtained from the Council offices at Millmead House or downloaded here. It be completed by a qualified professional as stated on the form.

Certificate of eligibility [PDF] (21k)

Bus permit application form [PDF] (26k)

From 1 April 2008 all bus permit holders are entitled to free travel throughout England.

When can I travel with the bus 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

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

Where can I travel with the bus permit?
You can travel anywhere in England on local bus services. This includes the London buses as they are local to that area. Local buses are defined by the fact that they stop at intervals to collect passengers regularly throughout the day.

Specialised journeys are not included and neither are long distance buses,trams, coaches or open top tourist buses. However the Woking Railair service is available to use with your bus permit.

I am disabled and unable to get on and off a bus without assistance, can I have a companion permit?
At present Guildford Borough Council do issue Companion permits. The letter 'C' will appear in the corner of the bus permit showing the entitlement. The bus permit holder will not be allowed to travel without a companion. These bus permits allow a companion to accompany a bus permit holder on any journey within Surrey for free. Outside Surrey the companion would have to pay.

I (or my spouse, partner, friend, neighbour) will be 60 soon, when can I (they) apply for a bus permit?
Applications can be made before a residents birthday but the bus permit cannot be issued until your 60th birthday.

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

Where do I get a photograph from?
Anywhere that supplies passport photographs will be able to help (photographers, photo booths, etc.). The requirements are exactly the same as for passport photographs.

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, W.H.Smith Guildford, and Sainsbury's Burpham. Snappy Snaps in Swan Lane, Guildford can produce a passport style photo if you are unable to use a photo booth.

Can I send you a photograph electronically?
Yes, you can send a photograph electronically. The photograph needs to be in jpeg format and can be attached to an email and sent to buspermits@guildford.gov.uk. Please ensure you give a name and address so the photo can be matched with the correct application.

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 and have a plain background.

Can I send you an application form electronically?
Yes, an application form can be sent electronically in the same way as a photograph can. Complete and sign the application form and then scan the document. Attach the document to an email and send to buspermits@guildford.gov.uk.

Why can’t I apply on-line if I do not currently have a bus permit?
When applying for a bus permit, you have to provide certain documents that must be seen by a member of staff. An application form can be downloaded below:

Bus permit application form [PDF] (26k)

When will I get my new bus permit?
Your new bus permit will be posted to your home address with in 5 working days.

Will bus drivers recognise my bus permit?
Yes. All bus companies have provided training for their drivers. The same design of bus permit is used throughout England so that it can 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 have been made aware that travel for bus permit-holders is free throughout England.

If I lose my bus permit do I have to pay for a replacement?
If you lose your bus permit there will be no charge for the first replacement. There will be a £10 charge for any subsequent bus permits lost.

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

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
Revenue and Payments Services
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BB

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

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