Disabled Person's Travel Pass
This image is generated digitally; therefore it may not accurately reflect a true likeness and is for illustrative purposes only.
As a designated Travel Concession Authority (TCA) by the Department for Transport (DfT), Merseytravel administers the concession travel scheme for the five district councils of Merseyside, including Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral.
You may qualify for a travel pass issued to people with an eligible disability, as part of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme if you meet the conditions of any of the seven categories of disability as defined by the Transport Act 2000.
Applying for a disabled person's travel pass
If you have a disability, you might qualify for a travel pass that allows you to travel for free in Merseyside and across England as part of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS).
If you live permanently in one of the five local authorities in Merseyside and meet one of the eligibility criteria listed below, you may be able to get a travel pass designed for individuals with eligible disabilities.
Am I eligible for a disabled persons travel pass?
Merseytravel is required to issue a travel pass free of charge to those applicants who can demonstrate eligibility and reside within the Merseyside area.
Residency Status
Residency is a key condition that must be met in all applications.
You can check if your address is within one of the five Merseyside local authorities by using the Find Your Council conline checker.
Your address must fall under one of the following local authorities:
- Knowsley
- Liverpool
- Sefton
- St Helens
- Wirral
Please Note: If your address isn’t in one of the areas mentioned above, unfortunately, Merseytravel won’t be able to accept your application for a disabled persons travel pass. Thanks for understanding!
Proof of Address
You will be required to produce evidence to demonstrate your residency status, usually one of the following:
- Council tax statement
- Driving licence
- Utility bill (e.g. gas, electricity or water)
- Bank or Building Society Statement
- Official tenancy agreement
- Letter from the Departrment for Works & Pensions (DWP)
In addition to the above, Merseytravel will also accept a similar bill or statement which clearly shows the applicant’s name and full address.
Please Note: Any proof of your residential status should be dated within the last 12 months. Thanks for your cooperation!
Eligibility Categories
There are seven categories that entitles those people with a disability to the statutory minimum travel concession. These are set out in Section 146 of the Transport Act 2000 and are listed below:
On each page, you’ll find details about the eligibility requirements, an application form, and the information you need to include with your application. You’ll also see what type of pass you can receive if your application is approved.
Blind or Partially Sighted (Category A)
If you are blind or partially sighted, you may be eligible for a travel pass.
To find out more about the eligibility requirement for Category A and what information you need to include to support your application, click the button below.
Profoundly or Severely Deaf (Category B)
If you are profoundly or severely deaf in both ears you may be eligible for a travel pass.
To find out more about the eligibility requirement for Category B and what information you need to include to support your application, click the button below.
Without Speech (Category C)
If you are without speech, you may be eligible for a travel pass.
To find out more about the eligibility requirement for Category C and what information you need to include to support your application, click the button below.
Walking Difficulties (Category D)
If you have a disability or injury which has a substantial effect on your ability to walk, you may be eligible for a travel pass.
To find out more about the eligibility requirement for Category D and what information you need to include to support your application, click the button below.
Without the Use of Both Arms (Category E)
If you are permanently without the use of both arms, either by the absence of limbs or otherwise you may be eligible for a travel pass
To find out more about the eligibility requirement for Category E and what information you need to include to support your application, click the button below.
Learning disability (Category F)
If you have a learning disability that would result in the refusal of a driving licence, then you may be eligible for a travel pass.
When determining if an applicant is eligible under this category, the Department for Transport (DfT) guidance advises that:
“A learning disability is a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning.”
To find out more about the eligibility requirement for Category F and what information you need to include to support your application, click the button below.
Medical Fitness Affecting Ability to Drive or Hold a Licence (Category G)
If you would be refused a driving licence because of medical fitness, epilpesy, giddyness or severe enduring mental health, you may be eligible for a travel pass.
The disability must be long-lasting (expected to last at least 12 months) or permanent.
To find out more about the eligibility requirement for Category G and what information you need to include to support your application, click the button below.
Where to Use Your Travel Pass
Travelling Within the Merseyside region:
You can use your concession travel pass for free travel on local buses within the Merseyside region, on the Merseyrail network as far as Chester, Ellesmere Port and Ormskirk, and for single cross-river crossing (not River Explorer or Special Cruises) with Mersey Ferries.
Your pass allows unlimited free travel within the Merseyside region at any time, all day, any day of the week.
You cannot use the pass on coach excursions, special bus services, excursions, National Express or Merseylink, on rail journeys outside the Merseyrail network such as journeys between Chester and Liverpool via Runcorn or between Chester and Newton-le-Willows via Runcorn East.
Travelling Throughout England:
You can use your concession travel pass to travel for free on all local buses in England between 9.30am and 11pm Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on public holidays.
If you travel outside of these times you must pay the full adult fare.
How to Use Your Pass
You must always remember to:
- Touch your travel pass on the ticket machine reader as your board the bus
- Tap your travel pass at the electronic barriers at any rail station
- Present your travel pass if asked by a train ticket inspector
- Show your travel pass to a member of staff at a Mersey Ferries ticket counter
My Pass has Stopped Working
If your pass stops working or scanning, it may have become damaged.
You can visit a Merseytravel Centre where a member of the team will check this for you.
If your card has been damaged, there may be a £10 charge to issue you with a replacement pass.
This image is generated digitally; therefore it may not accurately reflect a true likeness and is for illustrative purposes only.
Renewing your Travel Pass
You’ll only be able to renew your pass once we’ve sent you a letter confirming it’s time. We’ll contact you 12 weeks before your current pass is due to expire.
If your renewal is automatic, you don’t need to do anything - your new pass will arrive before your current one runs out.
If you’ve moved home, please let us know. If we send your pass to an old address, there may be a £10 charge to replace it and send a new one to your current address.
If your appearance has changed since your last pass was issued, please send us a recent passport-sized photo so we can update your record.
If you need to reapply for your pass - this usually happens when your pass was issued temporarily because your personal circumstances were expected to change or improve over time – then, please complete the application form and send it back to us. Be sure to include your most up-to-date medical information and any supporting documents.
Please note: It can take up to 6 weeks to process your application once we receive it.
Replacing your Travel Pass
There is a £10 administration cost for the replacement of a lost or stolen pass.
To order a replacement pass you can:
- Call our Customer Services team on 0300 131 2881 to make a card payment (7am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 6pm at weekends and public holidays).
- Visit a Merseytravel Centre to order and pay for a replacement
Need further support?
Access our Help & Suppprt pages for answers to some frequently asked questions or find out how to get in touch with our Customer Services team.
