National Express West Midlands

Concessions: Senior Citizens (Over 60s)

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme, introduced by the government from 1st April 2008, gives all people over 60 living in England free travel on local buses only anywhere in England between the hours of 09:30 and 23:00 Monday to Friday and all day Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays.

As part of the new arrangements, new English National Concessionary Passes, in a common format have been issued to existing users by their local authorities. As well as bearing the ‘English Rose’ graphic the passes will also show the name of the issuing authority.

Individual local authorities specify enhancements to the scheme within their own local areas. Details of any enhancements offered will be available from the local authority who issued the pass.

In the case of people living within the West Midlands County (Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Solihull, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton) the issuing authority is Centro and as well as the English Rose graphic these passes will carry the ‘Centro’ logo .

Holders of passes with a ‘Centro’ logo on them are also entitled to free travel on the Metro (tram) and on trains operating within the Network West Midlands area.

Using your pass:

Show your pass every time you make a journey, show it to the driver as you board the bus.
If your pass was issued by Centro it is also valid on Metro trams and trains within the Network West Midlands area. Travel on Metro and trains within the Network West Midlands area is a benefit provided by Centro. If you qualify you can also travel free on Ring & Ride.

If your pass is valid on the tram or train, show it to the conductor or ticket inspector (if they ask to see it). Holders of passes issued by other local authorities are required to pay for their Metro tram journeys and train journeys within the Network West Midlands area. Passengers not holding a valid ticket or pass will be liable to pay a penalty fare.

Applying for your pass:

For people living within the West Midlands County:

If you live in the West Midlands County (Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Solihull, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton) your pass will be issued by Centro. You can apply for your pass up to one month before your 60th birthday.

To apply for your pass go to the Network West Midlands website to download and application form, then take your completed application form, a passport photograph, proof of your age and proof you live in the West Midlands to one of the 'Check and Send' outlets located throughout the West Midlands.

(Suitable documents that can be accepted as proof of age and proof you live in the West Midlands County are listed on the application form).

Please note: it is no longer possible to collect your free travel pass from the post office on your 60th birthday.

For people living outside of the West Midlands County:

Your concessionary travel pass will be issued by the authority who administers your local concessionary travel scheme. The Department for Transport website lists details of Bus Concession Pass providers in England.

Lost and damaged cards:

If your pass was issued by Centro you will need to apply for a new one, go to the Network West Midlands website to download and application form then take your completed application form, a passport photograph, proof of your age and proof you live in the West Midlands to one of the 'Check and Send' outlets located throughout the West Midlands.

Holders of passes issued by other local authorities will need to contact their own issuing authority.

More Information

For more details about the Over 60s National Pass please see the Network West Midlands website.

Or contact the Centro ticketing team:

• By post - Centro Ticketing Team, PO Box 9421, Birmingham, B19 3TR
• In person: Centro Ticketing Team, Centro House Annexe, 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham, B19 3TR^†
• By phone: 0121 214 7878
• By email: via this form

^†(Opening hours: 9:00am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday)