USERS of the concessionary bus pass in Bournemouth and Poole are being advised to make sure theirs are correct to avoid getting caught out.

As previously reported in the Daily Echo, a new system is being rolled out from Monday, February 2, which will see any invalid passes retained by bus drivers.

The switch is to ‘hotlisting’, which will see invalid passes cancelled electronically.

It is part of a drive to make sure that invalid passes under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme are eliminated and fraud reduced.

Those that will be ‘hotlisted’ include if the original pass has been reported lost or stolen and replaced with a new one; where the council wrote to a pass-holder and the letter was returned due to them moving address and where the council wrote to a pass-holder asking for up-to-date proof of eligibility or to return the pass.

If a pass is withdrawn and the driver is satisfied that the user is the person identified on the pass, the user will still be able to make that journey. However, future journeys will need to be paid for until either the correct pass is used or a new valid pass is obtained.

John McVey, lead officer on concessionary fares for Poole and Bournemouth, pictured left, said: “We understand that sometimes concessionary bus passengers can inadvertently use more than one bus pass, therefore there will be an amnesty period until Sunday, February 1.

“I would advise all concessionary bus pass users to check they are using the correct pass between now and February 2.”

During the amnesty period, users with invalid passes will be advised by their bus driver that the pass is no longer valid for travel. Users will still be able to continue with their journey, but will then need to contact their council to arrange for a new pass to be issued. The old pass that is no longer valid will need to be returned to the council before the end of the amnesty period.