My neighbouring local authority changed its policy for people with a disabled person’s pass or a companion pass. Since 1 April, you can use only use them on buses after 9.30am. I think this will affect my daughter is she travels from where we live to that area.
I was really shocked about this it seems very unfair, particularly if you want to use the passes to get to work of you just need to be somewhere earlier.
What a ridiculous, unfair change to make. Is anyone else affected by this?
Hi Grace, not sure what area you live in but this has always been the case with Newcastle local authority. I have a son with severe learning disabilities and he’s never been able to use pass before 9 30am. I believe it’s possible to get one to travel before 9 30am but they have to be in education or work for a specific amount of hours, which you would need to check with your local authority.
It is the same where I live. But I know someone in Wales and the disabled bus pass can be used anytime there. She also has a companion pass so the person with her travels free too. How good is that??!!
Surely this is Disability Discrimination. Go for it.
From Citizens Advice Website currently.
Access to public transport.
If you’re disabled, providers of public transport must not treat you less favourably than they would treat a person who isn't disabled (unless they can show that the treatment is justified). They have the same duties as other providers of services.
These rules apply to the transport service itself as well as to other related services, for example, at a railway station.
Taxi drivers can lose their licence and face a fine of £1,000 if they fail to transport wheelchair users. Taxi drivers must provide passengers in wheelchairs with assistance and charge wheelchair users the same as non-wheelchair users.
Bus companies must give people in wheelchairs priority in using the wheelchair space. The driver can, for example, ask someone to leave the bus if they refuse to leave the wheelchair space.
The bus driver can only leave the wheelchair user behind if it's reasonable - for example, if the bus is full and passengers in the wheelchair space can't move.
When you travel by air, airport operators must provide services which allow you to board, disembark and transfer to another flight. They must not charge for these services.
It is the same where I live, the only exception to the 9.30 rule is for those who are registered blind. Yet in the neighbouring authority all can travel before this time with a concessionairy card. This is something I am challenging.
Caring for elderly sister after mum passes.
Universal credit application
My son has been badly let down by Adult services 
Care provider cancelling my sons support again
