Wayfarer bargain

[neilmc]

I recently discovered that the TfGM Wayfarer concessionary costing £6 is available to anyone over 60, and although I have a senior citizen railcard with a third off, a half-price Wayfarer can often be cheaper for out-of-county journeys (e.g. Grindleford). This made me think, are there any other such concessions available to all 60+ passengers without requiring any kind of railcard? I know about Arriva's 55+ offers but these are seasonal.

 

[brompton rail]

I recently discovered that the TfGM Wayfarer concessionary costing £6 is available to anyone over 60, and although I have a senior citizen railcard with a third off, a half-price Wayfarer can often be cheaper for out-of-county journeys (e.g. Grindleford). This made me think, are there any other such concessions available to all 60+ passengers without requiring any kind of railcard? I know about Arriva's 55+ offers but these are seasonal.

Yes, the Derbyshire Wayfarer. Long Eaton to New Mills Central, Newtown to Buxton, Sheffield to Derby then Burton or Uttoxeter, Matlock branch and Langley Mill (& presumably Ilkeston when it eventually opens) to Chesterfield. Latest prices on Derbyshire County Council website. Purchased on the day from most (in area) bus drivers, staffed stations, but not train conductors. In advance (scratch off) from Tourist Offices and bus station enquiry offices (the only one I know is Arriva at Derby) and on line from DCC.

 

[johnnychips]

In advance (scratch off) from Tourist Offices and bus station enquiry offices (the only one I know is Arriva at Derby) and on line from DCC.

Sheffield Interchange sold me one about a month ago.

 

[brompton rail]

Sheffield Interchange sold me one about a month ago.

I believe that all of South Yorkshire PTE Information Offices closed on 1st June (Doncaster's did), so it seems that buying Derbyshire Wayfarer tickets in advance is a bit more difficult now.

 

[oddiesjack]

The Derbyshire Wayfarer at £6.15 for over 60s is cheaper than an Off-peak return for even a simple journey like Chinley-Sheffield (£7.15). The price seems to have been increased from £6 in May, when bought from the guard or Sheffield station.

I suspect they may still be £6 if bought from the likes of Tourist Information Offices in Derbyshire.

 

[LowLevel]

Despite the blurb the Derbyshire Wayfarer can most definitely be purchased on board trains - it's probably my most regularly issued ranger/rover ticket.

 

[button_boxer]

Despite the blurb the Derbyshire Wayfarer can most definitely be purchased on board trains - it's probably my most regularly issued ranger/rover ticket.

Though bus drivers may be reluctant to accept them if they're not in the official laminated pouch.

 

[LowLevel]

I suspect that's the issue - you won't get the little feedback form on the back. On the other hand, if someone particularly requests one, there's nothing in the restrictions on my ticket machine to say 'do not sell on board', so I'll quite happily issue it. It would seem a bit unfair to penalise someone boarding at somewhere like Cromford.

 

[philjo]

In Hertfordshire the Local authority bus pass holders can get a reduced fare on Great Northern for use between Royston and stations to Potters Bar - the discount is greater than the discount given for senior railcard holders.

 

[neilmc]

Thanks for the comments - I know there are lots of LOCAL extra concessions around pertaining to trains and trams but the great thing about the TfGM and Derbyshire Wayfarers is that they are available for anyone of the requisite age (60) irrespective of where they live.

 

[unlevel42]

Soon most people in their 60s will not be entitled to a ENCTS bus passes and any local rail concessions attached.
This makes the kind of information supplied here more valuable.

 

[dggar]

Soon most people in their 60s will not be entitled to a ENCTS bus passes and any local rail concessions attached.
This makes the kind of information supplied here more valuable.

Can you enlighten me with a source for this information please.

 

[unlevel42]

Can you enlighten me with a source for this information please.

New ENCTS bus passes are now only available to men and women between 66 and 67.
Entitlement is based on State Pension age.
Calculator.
Therefore soon most people in their 60s will not be entitled to a ENCTS bus passes and any local rail concessions attached.

 

[cool110]

...
Therefore soon most people in their 60s will not be entitled to a ENCTS bus passes and any local rail concessions attached.

Not quite, some PTEs still issue passes at 60 that are only valid in the local area. For example Merseytravel local passes are valid on bus, rail and ferry in Merseyside + the parts of the Northern and Wirral lines in Lancashire and Cheshire (i.e. the same as an all area Saveaway).

 

[John @ home]

Entitlement is based on State Pension age.

Not quite. For a woman, the basic entitlement in England is based on her achieving State Pension age. For a man, it is based on the date that a woman born on the same day as the man would achieve State Pension age.

New ENCTS bus passes are now only available to men and women between 66 and 67.

Not agreed. Today, ENCTS passes are available to residents of England born on or before 5 November 1952. On 6 July 2015, they will become available to residents of England born in the period 6 November - 5 December 1952.

soon most people in their 60s will not be entitled to a ENCTS bus passes and any local rail concessions attached.

For the basic entitlement, this will happen in 2018/19. Local rail concessions are not part of the basic entitlement.

 

[AM9]

Not quite, some PTEs still issue passes at 60 that are only valid in the local area. For example Merseytravel local passes are valid on bus, rail and ferry in Merseyside + the parts of the Northern and Wirral lines in Lancashire and Cheshire (i.e. the same as an all area Saveaway).

The 60+ London oyster photocard (available to GLA residents) has most of the same coverage as the London Freedom Pass, i.e. all TfL services and most NR services in the GLA area. That's about one third of all UK rail services. The only difference is that on M-F the free time starts at 09:30 whereas Freedom Passes are 24/7.

 

[unlevel42]

Not quite. For a woman, the basic entitlement in England is based on her achieving State Pension age. For a man, it is based on the date that a woman born on the same day as the man would achieve State Pension age.
Not agreed. Today, ENCTS passes are available to residents of England born on or before 5 November 1952. On 6 July 2015, they will become available to residents of England born in the period 6 November - 5 December 1952.
For the basic entitlement, this will happen in 2018/19. Local rail concessions are not part of the basic entitlement.

Perhaps for some I need clarify my statement which was:
"Soon most people in their 60s will not be entitled to a ENCTS bus passes and any local rail concessions attached."

1 By the end of 2018 the majority of 60 somethings will not have an ENCTS bus pass*.
2 By the end of 2018 the majority of 60 somethings will not be entilted to any local concessions dependant on possessing an ENCTS bus pass**.
3 Therefore any thread which provides information to help this age group with travel tips is useful.

*Example: If it is your 60th birthday today "You can travel for free on local buses once you reach state pension age." which today is your 66th birthday-regardless of being a man or woman.

**Example: Some area offer local concessions dependant on presenting an ENCTS card eg South Yorkshire.

 

[DeparturesBeck]

...are there any other such concessions available to all 60+ passengers without requiring any kind of railcard?

In Norfolk, the Bittern Senior Ranger and Wherry Line Senior Ranger are both available to those aged 60+ without the need for a senior railcard.

 

[transmanche]

The 60+ London oyster photocard (available to GLA residents) has most of the same coverage as the London Freedom Pass, i.e. all TfL services and most NR services in the GLA area. That's about one third of all UK rail services. The only difference is that on M-F the free time starts at 09:30 whereas Freedom Passes are 24/7.

Free travel with a 60+ Oystercard is available on the same basis as Freedom Pass: that's free travel 24/7 on all TfL services and the usual 'inter-available' routes[*], free travel after 09:00 Mon-Fri on Southern between Clapham Junction and Harrow & Wealdstone, free travel after 09:30 Mon-Fri on all other NR routes in Greater London, plus to Dartford & Swanley.

* That's routes such as Finsbury Park to King's Cross/Moorgate, but not just where TfL and non-TfL services use the same track. So you can use AGA services between Liverpool St and Stratford at any time, but you can only use AGA services Stratford-Harold Wood after 09:30 Mon-Fri, whereas you can use TfL Rail services Stratford to Harold Wood (and on to Shenfield) at any time.

 

[ashworth]

I just hope that all the current offers for people aged 60+, including the Senior Railcard, will not have their lower age validity raised to 65 or even 66 in the next few years.

I've recently taken early retirement after 36 years teaching, and although I've retired, being still only 58 I cannot currently make use of any of these for another 18 months when I am 60. I get my Teacher's Pension (reduced for finishing early), but will not get my state pension or my bus pass until I am 66. Living in a relatively rural area, currently, when I travel on buses, especially midweek, during the middle of the day, I often feel that I am the only person on the bus actually paying the full fare or indeed paying at all!

To make me feel better about this I keep reminding myself how fortunate I am to be able to retire at 58. I suppose if I can afford to retire at 58, I can also afford to pay full price for my train and bus fares! Although a railcard when I reach 60 will be nice.

 

[brompton rail]

I just hope that all the current offers for people aged 60+, including the Senior Railcard, will not have their lower age validity raised to 65 or even 66 in the next few years.

I've recently taken early retirement after 36 years teaching, and although I've retired, being still only 58 I cannot currently make use of any of these for another 18 months when I am 60. I get my Teacher's Pension (reduced for finishing early), but will not get my state pension or my bus pass until I am 66. Living in a relatively rural area, currently, when I travel on buses, especially midweek, during the middle of the day, I often feel that I am the only person on the bus actually paying the full fare or indeed paying at all!

To make me feel better about this I keep reminding myself how fortunate I am to be able to retire at 58. I suppose if I can afford to retire at 58, I can also afford to pay full price for my train and bus fares! Although a railcard when I reach 60 will be nice.

The Senior Railcard is a commercial product to encourage retired people to travel by train, so I doubt that the age requirement will change. Since the purpose is to encourage more train travel I can't see that raising the age will increase business.

Good luck with your 'early' retirement from teaching - I did it twenty years ago, and I never made the mistake many colleagues made by doing supply teaching. Once you have left the classroom you have gone!