Derbyshire Gold Card holders – Anyone over 60 and some disabled people get free local bus travel anywhere in Derbyshire can:
If you think you are eligible for Gold Card and haven’t yet got one, you can find out about how to apply for your Gold Card.
We are currently taking photos in the Reception areas of Buxton Town Hall and Glossop Municipal Buildings. Please contact Customer Services on 0845 129 77 77 or 01298 28400 to make an appointment.
Do you already have a Gold Card?
If the answer is YES please read on.
The personal details you gave when you applied for your Gold Card are currently held by your local district or borough council – the one where you are resident and pay council tax to.
From 1 April 2011 this will change.
After this date Derbyshire County Council will be responsible for keeping Gold Card data. This means that your personal details, including your name, address and date of birth, will be transferred over to the county council.
You do not need to do anything – just carry on using your Gold Card for travel, shop discounts and as a library card.
If you have any queries or concerns about the transfer of your personal information please call 01629 536741.
More information: www.derbyshire.gov.uk/goldcard (external website**)
| If your birthday is within/on these dates | You are eligible for a Gold Card on |
|---|---|
| Before and including 5 Jan 1951 | Already eligible |
| 6 Jan 1951 to 5 Feb 1951 | 6 November 2011 |
| 6 Feb 1951 to 5 March 1951 | 6 January 2012 |
| 6 March 1951 to 5 April 1951 | 6 March 2012 |
| 6 April 1951 to 5 May 1951 | 6 May 2012 |
| 6 May 1951 to 5 June 1951 | 6 July 2012 |
| 6 June 1951 to 5 July 1951 | 6 September 2012 |
| 6 July 1951 to 5 August 1951 | 6 November 2012 |
| 6 August 1951 to 5 September 1951 | 6 January 2013 |
| 6 September 1951 to 5 October 1951 | 6 March 2013 |
| 6 October 1951 to 5 November 1951 | 6 May 2013 |
| 6 November 1951 to 5 December 1951 | 6 July 2013 |
| 6 December 1951 to 5 January 1952 | 6 September 2013 |
You need to
– the application form provides information about what else you will need;1. Apply in person
High Peak residents can take your documentary proofs of eligibility, your completed application form (433KB) and your photograph, to:
2. Apply at a post office
Bring your application form (433KB) with your documentary evidence and your own photograph to the following post offices:
Bamford;
Buxton (Higher Buxton and Spring Gardens);
Castleton;
Chapel-en-le-Frith (Market Place and Town End);
Charlesworth;
Chinley;
Edale;
Furness Vale;
Gamesley;Hadfield;
Hayfield;
Hope;
New Mills (Co-op Late Shop);
Peak Dale;
Simmondley;
Tintwistle;
Whaley Bridge (Canal Street and Horwich End).
3. Apply by post
You can apply send your completed application form (433KB) , with photocopies of your proof documents and a passport-size photograph to:
Gold Card
High Peak Borough Council
Town Hall
Buxton
Derbyshire
SK17 6EL
Off-peak hours are 9.30am until 11pm, Monday to Friday, and all day weekends and bank holidays.
In most cases, this will be self-evident, but in a few instances, this could include some longer distance buses and coach services, where part of their route is registered as a local bus service. Long-distance express services, special tours and excursions are not classed as local bus services. If in doubt, check with the bus operator.
No. You can only get free off-peak bus travel (external website**) within England.
No. Discounted train travel ended on 31 August 2011.
Probably not. As a general rule, local authorities will only provide additional services for their own residents. Some authorities, though, may provide them – check with the relevant authority in the area to which you intend to travel.
No, because those benefits are paid for by the London authorities – only London Freedom Pass holders will be able to enjoy additional travel on the tube and train. But you will be able to enjoy free off-peak bus travel (external website**) when visiting the capital.
Your Derbyshire Gold card can get you:
If your circumstances change, for example, if you move address either to a different county or within Derbyshire, or become ineligible because of a change in your disability, please tell us.
Your Gold Card gives you discounts of 10 per cent or more at over 1,300 local businesses. Plus a range of discounts at hotels and bed and breakfasts in Derbyshire, Blackpool, Cumbria, Lincolnshire, North Wales, North and East Yorkshire and Northumberland.
The online Gold Card Discount Directory (external website**). lists participating businesses. A printed version is available for free from libraries and council offices.
Simply show your Gold Card, when you pay, to have the amount deducted. Please note that discounts are for the cardholder only.
Contact us by calling 0845 129 7777 or 01298 28400, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm. We will have your details on file, so you will not need to supply another application form or photograph. Please note, there is a £5 charge for a replacement card.
Show the driver your Gold Card – the side with your photograph on the front – to prove you travel for free and tell them where you want to get off the bus. Even though you don’t need to give the driver any cash, you will be issued with a ticket.
When you make the return journey, you will need to show your Gold Card and you will be issued with another ticket. In some parts of the country, buses may have machines that ‘read’ your card and you may have to swipe your card against the machine, instead of showing it to the driver. If you are unsure, ask the driver.
Derbyshire Gold card is issued by your local district, borough or city council. Please contact us for information about your card, by calling 0845 129 77 77 or 01298 28400, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm.
Alternatively, call Derbyshire on 08456 058058, between 8am and 8pm on weekdays, or 9.30am-4pm on Saturdays at the local rate – or Derbyshire Gold Card colour magazine (external website**).
**Please note: High Peak Borough Council is not responsible for the content of any external websites.