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OVER-60s in the Camberley area who want access to free bus travel across the country are being sent information on how to sign up to the service.
Anyone aged 60 or above – or who will become 60 before April next year – can take advantage of the scheme.
In October, councillors from Surrey Heath Council decided to outsource the running of the scheme to a company called Novacroft. It will be Novacroft who will prepare and distribute the new bus passes, which will be of a standard national plastic format that can be recognised and used across the country.
Current users of the scheme, including those under 60 who are entitled through disability or similar entitlement, gain free statutory off-peak travel within their own local authority area.
Under the new arrangements from April 2008, pass-holders will be able to board any local bus in England and be entitled to free off-peak travel irrespective of which authority issued their pass or where they are travelling.
Before the end of November, all eligible residents should receive a letter from the council giving them information on what they need to do next. Because of the changing scheme, everyone falling into the eligible group will need to replace their current bus pass, whether or not it expires before the end of March 2008.
Portfolio holder for regulatory services — including the concessionary authority function — Coun Keith Bush, said: “This is going to be a fantastic scheme that will allow older people wider access to free public transport.”