Your Questions Answered

Using your pass

How do I use my free travel pass?

Show your pass every time you make a journey. If you are on a train or a tram, show it to the conductor (if they ask to see it). If you are on a bus, show it to the driver.

Can I still be able to use my pass on the train and Metro?

Yes, but only within the West Midlands County. This is an enhancement provided by West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority and will continue, but you will not be able to travel outside of the county free on train or tram.

What if I want to travel before 09:30?

Click on the link for details of

How do I find out more about bus, train and tram times and routes?

Call Traveline on 0870 608 2 608 or click here for our which will help you plan the quickest, most convenient route by bus, train or tram.

Hospital travel costs scheme

You may be able to get financial help towards pre 9.30 travel costs if you need NHS treatment at a hospital, other NHS centre or private clinic and have been referred by an NHS hospital consultant. You can claim at the NHS hospital or clinic at the time of your appointment.

My pass has an expiry date. Why is this and will I have to reapply?

All Concessionary Travel Passes have an expiry date as the Department for Transport has specified that all Travel Passes should be replaced periodically. Travel Passes in the West Midlands County will be replaced every 4-5 years. To stagger the work involved in providing these replacements, Travel Passes will have different expiry dates. It is quite possible that members of the same household will have Travel Passes that expire on different dates. Centro will contact you nearer the time regarding your replacement Travel Passes.

My name has been spelt incorrectly on my pass - can I still use it?

Centro would like to apologise for any errors that might appear on your National Concessionary Travel Pass. In excess of 400,000 Travel Passes have been issued and it possible that some errors may have occurred. There is no need to replace your Travel Pass in order to use it. Please contact the helpline on 0845 303 6760 to provide details of any amendments which will be included on your new Travel Pass which will be issued when your current Travel Pass expires.

I have received my Travel Pass but am unhappy with the photograph can I have it changed?

Unless you feel that the bus driver will not be able to recognise you, we will be unable to replace travel passes in the event of the holder being dissatisfied with the photograph.

I have noticed my Travel Pass is different in appearance from others which have a different coloured stripe, why is this?

All Travel Passes have a common design apart from a coloured stripe of either blue or orange featured on the right hand side. An orange stripe denotes a Blind & Disabled Concessionary Travel Pass and a blue stripe indicates an Older Person's Travel Pass. Both Travel Pass types offer the same concession and are valid during the same times and on the same services and areas.

I am in receipt of an Older Person's Travel Pass of someone that is deceased. What should I do?

Please return the Travel Pass to Centro with a covering note and we will arrange for the person's details to be removed from our records.

Where can I use my travel pass?

You can use it on the Metro tram, on trains and on most buses within the West Midlands County.
You can also use it on Ring and Ride within the West Midlands County area. This is a door-to-door service we fund for people who find it difficult to use ordinary transport. You can also travel to Hednesford by train. You can also use it on any local bus service in England.

When can I use my travel pass?

• Monday to Friday after 09:30

• All day on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays

How do I find out more about Ring and Ride ?

For more information and to register to use the service in your local area, visit Ring and Ride or call one of the following numbers.

• Birmingham North 0121 333 3108
  
• Birmingham South 0121 453 9382
  
• Birmingham East and Solihull 0121 784 6644
  
• Coventry 02476 602177
  
• Dudley and Sandwell 0121 505 7316
  
• Walsall 01922 402232
  
• Wolverhampton 01902 421515

Can I travel to Blackpool etc free?

Theoretically you could, but you would have to do it hopping on and off local buses. This free pass does not cover coaches, like National Express. Where there is a bus service, for instance to Stratford or Tamworth, you will no longer have to pay from the boundary but can make the whole journey for free. And if you are on holiday anywhere in England you can travel on the bus in that area for free.

Any other questions?

If you are not sure whether you are entitled to a travel pass, or if you have any other questions, please contact our ticketing team.

By post:
CentroTicketing Team
PO Box 9421
Birmingham B19 3TR

In person:
Centro Concessionary Ticketing Team
Centro House Annexe
16 Summer Lane
Birmingham B19 3SD

By phone: 0845 303 6760

By email:ticketing@centro.org.uk

Opening hours: 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.