Cheshire East targets concessionary bus passes

In a further bid to reduce its overspend Cheshire East Council is asking all holders of a concessionary bus pass not to renew their bus pass this year if it’s no longer needed.

Disability passes, which are held by residents with a disability, are not affected and their existing pass will continue to be renewed in the usual way.

If you have used your pass during the past 12 months your pass will renew automatically and you will receive the new one before the old one expires. You need not contact the council.

Holders of a concessionary bus pass who have not used it since 1 November 2022 will not see their pass renewed automatically, but they can re-apply online or by visiting their local library or customer service centre.

This should be done at least three weeks before they plan to travel. A new pass will be posted to them. An online application is a preferred option

The council has 60,000 registered concessionary bus pass holders, but nearly 30,000 have not been used in the past 12 months.

But it’s important that people who require a bus pass receive one.

The outbreak of the Covid pandemic had a considerable impact on people’s travel arrangements and many older people are no longer using buses as they used to.

Confusingly, the council says it expects that picture to gradually change and that those who haven’t used their bus pass will renew and start using the bus network again.