FENLAND Council now has new-style bus passes available for issue from all Fenland @ your service shops from Monday next week. The Government s concessionary bus fares scheme for people over 60 and those with a disability means that colour-coded bus passes

FENLAND Council now has new-style bus passes available for issue from all Fenland @ your service shops from Monday next week.

The Government's concessionary bus fares scheme for people over 60 and those with a disability means that colour-coded bus passes need to be issued when the old ones expire.

To avoid the danger of all bus pass holders trying to get their new passes at once and causing a log jam, the council is, in the first instance, issuing only those passes that have either expired in April, or will expire on or before June 30, 2006.

Those with bus passes expiring after June 30 should exchange their passes on the expiry date printed on their existing pass. All new cards will be valid until March 31 2008, when it is envisaged the Government will introduce further changes to the scheme.

In all cases, photocards do not need to be renewed, but they must be presented when the new bus passes are issued.

There is no change to the blind person's pass. These will continue to be valid for 12 months and will need to be exchanged only at the renewal date. Leaflets and further information about the concessionary fares scheme are available at the Fenland @ your service shops and from the council's website: www.fenland.gov.uk.