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KCC first introduced the Kent Freedom Pass scheme in June
2007, providing bus travel free at the point of use to students
attending school in three pilot areas (Canterbury district,
Tonbridge town and Tunbridge Wells district). Since then it has
proven very successful, encouraging children away from car travel
and on to Kent's bus network. By the end of the first year, pass
holders had made more than 1 million journeys and the 10,000th pass
was issued in October 2008.
The original pilot scheme was intended to run until 2009 however
its success led to it being extended to the remainder of Tonbridge
& Malling, Dover, Maidstone and Shepway districts in June 2008
and Swale and Thanet in January 2009. The scheme will be extended
to its final countywide phase in June 2009 by covering schools in
the districts of:
- Ashford
- Dartford
- Gravesham
- Sevenoaks
How do I apply?
Applications can still be made for the 2008/9 scheme until 31
May if you meet the criteria however passes issued at this time
will only be valid until 31 August 2009. Applications received on
the 2008/9 application form after that date will not be processed
and a new application on the 2009/10 application form will be
required.
Applications for the 2009/10 scheme will be possible in Ashford,
Dartford, Gravesham and Sevenoaks from April 2009 and from June
2009 in all other districts.
Applicants must meet the following key criteria in order to
apply for the 2008/09 scheme:
- Academic year 7-11 at a
valid school
- Living within the administrative boundary of Kent County
Council
For clarity, this means that non-Kent residents attending
schools in Kent and Kent residents attending school outside of Kent
(such as Medway, East Sussex, London etc) are not eligible to
apply.
The
scheme information leaflet provides more information however
the
full terms & conditions should however be referred to in
case clarification is needed.
Application packs are available to collect from schools in valid
districts and should be returned to the address printed on the
form, along with payment and a clear passport-sized photo.
The fee for applications is £50 irrespective of the date of
application/issue.
All passes issued for the 2008/09-scheme year will expire on 31
August 2009, irrespective of the date of application or issue.
All passes issued for the 2009/10-scheme year will expire on 31
August 2010, irrespective of the date of application or issue.
If you already have a Kent Freedom Pass and want to renew it for
next academic year, you must submit a new application form
and tick the 'Renewal' box at the top. You must include a further
£50 payment, but do not need to submit another photo. You can also
collect this form from your school. The application form is
available to download from
here.
As a result of discussions with operators a small number of
tailored school services will be designated as "special" for the
purposes of the scheme. For these services a further payment
arrangement exists in addition to the Kent Freedom Pass. The level
of additional charge is detailed in the list of
participating operators and service exclusions for 2009-10.
In order to have your pass ready at school for collection at the
beginning of term in September 2009, your application must be made
by 17 July 2009. For applicants attending schools in the new
districts of Ashford, Dartford, Gravesham and Sevenoaks and
applying for their pass to start on 1 June 2009, applications must
be received by 30 April 2009. |