Free Blind and Disabled Travel Card - Metro Card UK
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- Опубліковано 20 лип 2024
- In this video I want to explain all about the benefits of having a Blind and Disabled Metro travel card.
Having the card allows us to travel either Free or with reduced fares within England, UK. You may also be eligible to have a companion travel with you at the same concessionary rate.
Please leave comments below if you have any questions, or of course if you found this video at al useful.
Whilst this video relates to the West Yorkshire Travel card, those living outside West Yorkshire, within the UK will have similar schemes for Blind and Disabled people, so, please contact your local authority to find out more.
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Frequently asked Questions about the Blind and Disabled West Yorkshire Travel Pass : ticketsandpasses.wymetro.com/...
Link to the Blind and Disabled Metro Card Website is ticketsandpasses.wymetro.com/...
Download an Large Font Easy to Read Information leaflet here: ticketsandpasses.wymetro.com/...
Eligibility Criteria for the Blind and Disabled Travel Pass is here:
ticketsandpasses.wymetro.com/...
Benefits of Blind, Disabled and Companion Pass:
ticketsandpasses.wymetro.com/...
Are you eligible for a companion pass? ticketsandpasses.wymetro.com/...
Apply Online for your Blind and Disabled Travel Pass here ticketsandpasses.wymetro.com/...
Apply for your Blind and Disabled Travel Pass via your local authority here :
ticketsandpasses.wymetro.com/...
This is awesome! I love the video and information. For someone like you who travels a lot, it is nice to have your travel card. Amazing! When I travel here I always carry a certificate of blindness in the event someone would ask for proof. Great video and very informative :-) Matt
Hey Matt. I never used public transport before, or very rarely. I always used to drive everywhere. Then when I started with the visual problems last year, lost my license. I thought that would be a HUGE loss to me, but in actual fact, I do not miss driving nearly as much as I thought I would. We have a good transport system, and to be honest with you - I have far more time on my hands now I am blind, and the trips out are quite fun - I hear so many funny conversations, and I second guess what the other people are like, and what they do etc. It takes hours instead of minutes to get anywhere , but that really isn't a bad thing.
AND of course, Im not paying for a car, fuel, insurance or tax etc - so, financially so . much better off haha. Thanks for taking the time to comment my friend, it is very much appreciated
I just got my bus pass today from Kent county council (I have autism) and my girlfriend (who doesn’t live with me and is registered severely sight impaired) has a bus companion pass which I can use when I’m with her. I’m under 17 so can’t drive and she can’t drive due to her eyes so this scheme is great for us
Hi Tobey, thats great news, im really pleased you got your bus pass, and also your girlfriend with her companion pass, it will make a real difference and just give you that extra reason to get out and about. I hope you and your family are all well and keeping safe in these strange covid times x
okay i didn't person know about the trains and stuff this has given me a lot of info and will be helpful in the future
Hi there. I came across your video only because I had my renewed pass through earlier from Hertfordshire and I found out that they have added the companion option to take someone else on for free. I didn’t ask for it but they very kindly add this to anyone who is registered blind.
So I am blind and registered blind but I will just add something to the excellent information you have here. It sounds like your local authority has introduced an additional concession as far as on peak travel is concerned for people who are Richardson as blind. This is in addition to the statutory framework, the legislation that entitles people. I have no visual acuity at all, but in legislation, what entitles asked to a bus pass would be precisely the same criteria in legislation as there is registered as sight impaired or partially sighted.
In my county, Hertfordshire, anyone with a disabled bus pass for any reason can travel at any time buses are running as it is more generous than the central government legislation. Additionally I’m fairly certain that we can use it at any time on London buses.
I don’t massively understand why your local authority would extend peak time free travel to someone who is registered blind but not someone who is registered as partially sighted as someone with partial sight would be likely to have the same necessity to travel as I am as a blind person. I was aware that some years ago there was something similar in Norfolk. I think it’s just down to some excellent advocacy on the part of local blind societies. For anyone reading of course, the threshold for being registered as sight impaired or partially sighted is much lower than being registered as blind, or severely sight impaired. Having been registered as both when I was a child, and later losing my partial sight, I don’t especially understand wife travel concessions for me would be any more generous.
This said, I’m extremely pleased to have my renewed bus pass, and it is very nice of the county much I live to add the companion endorsement. It does seem to confuse bus drivers though as the majority of time, I will travel alone with my guide dog :-)
So awesome and informative!
Thank you very much for your comment - There is so much out there to help the blind and visually impaired - but, its a case of finding it first :-)
Great job. We don't have anything like this in the United States. You get a certificate of blindness here can you get placards which are for handicap parking stuff like that. Or we apply for volunteer driving programs. some are absolutely free to get you around town and in the city while others are just really low rates and fares to pay. Each state does something different in their own specific ways.
Nice to know this about Yorkshire and surrounding areas. I would love to one day be able to go over there and visit just to see the sites. I would love to go see Stonehenge. Believe it or not in New England in the United States we have a place called America Stonehenge. Nothing like the real deal. Lol
You're doing a great job Terry I hope You're enjoying your week.
Hey Vincent, good to hear from you, thank you for your comment :-)
We have what they call the Blue Badge Scheme - This allows "disabled" parking - so, as long as your pass is in date and is on display, you can park Free in most places, and also for extended time periods compared to non pass holders. You can also park where non card holders cannot park in a lot of situations. Being Severely Sight Impaired (Blind) gives you automatic rights to the blue badge - otherwise you have to score a certain amount of points on mobility assessments to be considered.
I like Yorkshire, you don't have to go very far until you come across =some beautiful countryside. You know what? I have never been to Stonehenge lol. Its always the case isn't it - you travel The World, but tend not to explore your own places on your doorstep lol.
Thanks again Vincent for commenting - if you do ever venture over here - we must meet up. Wishing you and your lovely family a wonderful weekend
Gonna be applying soon for one as I have a learning disability and I’m on pip 🙂
Thats great news, and if you need help or support with your application, contact your local council and they will sort it with you... good luck
Will do and thank u ☺
i know this is an older video so i don’t expect a reply but ive just got a disabled card and im wondering how exactly to use it, do i just show it to the bus driver?
Hi. many thanks for your question, I am always happy to reply if someone takes the time to write. If it is this same card, then yes, simply show it to the bus driver, some will want it scanned, some will just say, take a seat.
For the trains, simply show it to the person at the barrier, and they will let you through, then if someone on the train asks to see tickets, simply show them your pass..
It's so easy to use. Hopefully, the council sent you a leaflet, showing you the boundaries in terms of how far you can travel with the pass, either full or half price. If you are travelling beyond the boundary, you just pay for a ticket from the boundary to your destination. I hope this makes sense ?
Just found out today I’ll be getting a bus pass now I’ll be able to get anywhere 😁
thats awesome news, Im really pleased for you, it makes a massive difference . I gave them a call too ( mine was West Yorkshire ) and they went through everything with me over the telephone, they wee so helpful. Enjoy your adventures :-)
@@LowVisionUKTerrysView Thanks so much yeah my mam had to call as we been waiting for over a month and we heard nothing and they told us im getting one which im pleased to hear and will do 😁😁
Hi, thanks for the very useful video. I've just been awarded higher rate mobility PIP, so I can get a disabled bus pass. Could I just ask if you are allowed to use it on your own if you can some days, or only with a companion? I am in West Yorkshire too, thanks.
Hi Jackie, thank you for your lovely comment, im so pleased you found it useful. Absolutely, you can use it travelling by yourself or with a companion, no problem at all. I have used mine so much, and it has been so handy and convenient. The passes usually get sorted pretty quickly too, so hopefully you will have yours soon, and as there seems to be some light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, it could be great timing for you. take care x
@@LowVisionUKTerrysView That's great Terry, thanks very much. I will apply today! Yes, I hope to be able to use it soon. Take care, thanks again x
I have a travel card, they're very useful
They really are Matt. It has allowed me to get to where I need to go both on my own, and with sighted assistance. I have only had positive Bus and Train Travel experiences, and the card is a huge benefit to me after loosing my driving licence. Hope all is good with you young man
@@LowVisionUKTerrysView there very useful for me because I often take the train down to London so I can go to football matches
@@mattinfullvision9598 that's awesome isn't it. Just makes things that little bit easier and affordable for us. I wouldn't want to be without my pass now
I found this video extremely informative well done have a question though so I travel to Sheffield a lot and obviously my pass is for West Yorkshire so I just buy a train ticket for Sheffield from Leeds is there anyway of combining my companion Blind pass to make the journey cheaper hope that makes sense
Hey Kurt. thanks you, im glad you found the video useful. Sure, that makes perfect sense.
There isn't a way to combine your companion pass to make the fare cheaper, however, you could get yourself a disabled persons railcard, that would give you a third off of the fare that you pay outside of the West Yorkshire boundary. So the travel you pay for after using your travel card will be a third cheaper than if you didnt have it. This is what I do. The disable persons railcard is £20 for a year or £54 for three years - so if you do a lot of train journeys outside of West Yorkshire, this will be a big saver for you on top of your free west Yorks travel :-) Hope that helps
Terry
@@LowVisionUKTerrysView thank you for your quick response. I thought as much I already do have a disabled persons Railcard it must be just some misinformation that I have read online I did see in a forum that you only have to pay after the West Yorkshire Boundry but just to save the hassle I just buy my ticket from Leeds to go directly to Sheffield because I’m not sure where the boundaries are or even if that is possible LOL. Also just to clarify are you aware as to whether the pass opens the barrier gates as sometimes it can be quite frustrating and disorientating trying to work out which gate to go to to get assistance to get through so if that did work it would be a bonus but I don’t think it does does it. Thank you again for your help it’s great to communicate with somebody that knows what I’m talking about regarding these issues. Take care Kurt.
@@kurttranmer9321 you're very welcome.
its complicated isn't it - I often forget the boundaries, so, to Mae sure I get the correct boundary discounts etc, I usually buy my tickets either on the train or at the manned desk, and give them my metro card AND my rail card - takes all the guesswork out of it :-)
I wish the card did work on the gates, and have suggested this to the council, who agree its a good idea, but of course, that doesn't usually translate into action :-)
I totally agree it is so disorientating, and for me, my guide dog will take me to a barrier/gate, but Im then stood there, hoping that a staff member is going to eventually see me and let me through - so frustrating, and then of course, you get all the people huffing and puffing behind you because they're in a rush - total nightmare.
What I have started doing is using the Passenger Assist App if I know im going to be travelling on the train and its going to eb a busy time - that way, someone will meet me at the station, walk me through the barriers, get me to the platform or onto the train and also be thee at the other end to meet me, and take me out through the gates at the station I travel to. Its always been a greta services and I have the app from the App Store on my iPhone - not sure if you know of it?
Kurt, you're very welcome, always happy to help if I can, we need to help each other dont we, life is hard enough as it is ..take care also. Terry
What’s the longest someone’s got pip for for someone who’s registered blind?
If you are awarded PIP solely on being Blind, then this is likely to continue, as your blindness isn't going to get better!
Hi thank you for the video.i just want to know i have a depression am taking medicine so can i apply for the free bus pass for depression. And how do i apply
Hi there, that wouldn’t itself entitle you but if you would be refused a driving license, it could.
Hi there. Speak to your local Council, and Im sure they will advise you, alternatively Citizens Advice. There are so many factors, but if you have an official diagnosis , and if affects your life in ways where this would help, then it has to be worth an enquiry at least. Good luck, and please let us know how you get on
I’ve got the card will it work
I’ve just been accepted for a disabled pass (learning disability and autism), but what I can’t understand is why blind bus passes entitle people to free bus travel all day, everyday within West Yorkshire but disabled bus passes don’t? Can anyone explain that to me? I don’t understand why it’s rules for one but not for the other, if that makes sense - I don’t get why it can’t be either free travel 24/7 for both blind and disabled passes, or free travel within certain times for both blind and disabled passes.
I would simply ask the issuer, and see what they say? You make an interesting point
@@LowVisionUKTerrysView That’s the plan - I just can’t understand why blind passes get free travel all day but disabled passes don’t, I’ve been trying to wrap my head around it but I just can’t make it make sense
@@Aimee0206 I have to say, I dont understand its either. When I was partially sighted, I had the same as you, however, when Blind, travel became free. will be interesting to see what you find out
@@LowVisionUKTerrysView We contacted WY Metro on the phone this morning - they told me that the rules shown online are correct, but even they can't understand why blind passes have 24/7 free travel and disabled passes don't. Think there's a bit of an issue when even the company themselves don't understand the rules lol.
Because disabled covers a lot of things. Epilepsy, mild autism, etc. Neither deserve free unlimited travel like a blind person should. You want to fleece the system because of a mild to none existent learning disability? Your writing is better than most people in the comments so I sincerely doubt you need free buses. You think you really deserve free travel like a blind person?
I tried applying for one as I have a learning disabilty and im not eligble for one and I dont understand why 😕
Hey Maddison. Give your local council a call or email and ask them to explain. Im sure they will be happy to help
Will do thanks for the advice 🙂
Hi there Madison. Did you ever get this sorted out? One thought for you, do you know whether you would be eligible to apply for a UK drivers license? If you are refused, on medical grounds a driving license, or you would be refused, on medical grounds, you would be eligible on those grounds That you may be asked to provide medical evidence for this. Good luck
@@seaninherts Hi and yeah hopefully gonna get this sorted soon i don’t have any medical problems but I might be able to get one since I’m on PIP so I’m gonna try again soon hopefully I will succeed this time 😁
Hello can you please give me some help ( can my carers get a free travel pass for them selves to go on the bus on their own
Hi there Stephen. Thanks for your comment. I hope you re well. Carers cant get a disabled pass im afraid. They can travel with you, but, not on their own - the card is specifically to help disabled people get out and about. Hope this clarifies..Terry
Thank you 🙏 I think carers should have their own travel pass so they can go out and get the items that the people that can’t get out
Hello Sir
I am physically Disabled
Now I have UK skilled worker visa
Can I eligible for any these types of cards
Hi there. Please contact your local council, or Jib centre+ and they will discuss with you what benefits you are entitled to
Hello I hope you will be fine how can I contact you?
Hi. message me here by all means if I can be of help to you
I got a bus pass
excellent news
Dose it work on the bus and train whith the card
It does within West Yorkshire - yes. But each council have their own rules, so best to check with yours
Does autism count as a disability?
I suggest you get in touch with tour local council and ask them, im sure they would be happy to advise - and good luck. Let us know how you get on
It's best to scrape off the Logo on your disability card, so you can use trains and trams in other cities in England, I live in Manchester and used it for the Merseyrail, as I showed my card when I scrapped the Manchester Logo they let me through without any hassle.
The cards don't work at toll-gates, so you'll have to show it to them and hide your logo with two fingers, also use it after 09:30 just in case the staff pin it on you that you shouldn't be travelling before that time. Also you're not allowed to use it on Blackpool and Nottingham trams but still do it and argue with them because it's your right to travel like a citizen and it's discriminative on where you come from (As long as it's not Scotland or Wales then you're fine) so maybe bring a sunflower lanyard and talk like an autistic person would in rare cases that staff hassle on you, other than that I've tested it in my local area many times for trains (Saying that my card doesn't work so they can let me through) and it has always worked with me even hiding the logo.
Also, you can use it for free on trains from Manchester to Liverpool (Via Newton Le-Willows) and Wigan to Liverpool because both the Merseyside and Manchester card are operated on the lines operated by Northern Rail, which is pretty good.
How do you get to the bus stop when your legs are paralysed and you are in a wheelchair Partially sighted person when you cannot take electric mobility scooter on the buses.I have a powered wheelchair but the pavements are dangerous and getting on buses. I actually had fallen to the side with my electric mobility scooter just about 6 weeks ago because of potholes and obstruction with road signs plastic polls blocking disabled access on pavements and 🚗 🚘 🚔 blocking going to the bus stop 🚏
sorry to hear that. you need to speak to your council, and support team..contact RNIB perhaps for some pointers? good luck