Nexus has sent more than 200,000 replacement concessionary bus passes to elderly and disabled people in Tyne and Wear whose existing cards expire at the end of this month.
It is now advising people who have not yet received their replacement pass, and whose card shows an expiry date of March 2013, to get in touch on 0191 20 20 747.
Tobyn Hughes, Director of Customer Services at Nexus, said: “The vast majority of concessionary travel pass holders in Tyne and Wear will already have received their replacement card.
“But in a small number of cases, for example where people have moved in the last five years without us knowing, we will still have their cards.
“If you have not received a replacement for a card expiring in March 2013 you should call Nexus on 0191 20 20 747 so we can deal with your enquiry.
“Our phone lines will be busy but we are have made preparations so that each caller can have their query dealt with as quickly as possible.”
The new English National Concessionary Travel Scheme smart cards have been sent out automatically to anyone who already holds a permanent card on the grounds of age or disability expiring at the end of March 2013.
More than 240,000 people aged over the state pension age or eligible through disability in Tyne and Wear hold an English National Concessionary Travel Scheme smart card issued by Nexus.
The vast majority received the first ‘smart’ version of the card in 2008 and these are being replaced on a five-year cycle to reduce fraud and because the microchips inside have a limited lifespan.
Nexus, using funds from local councils, pays transport operators around £38 million a year for cardholders to be carried without charge on buses after 9.30am on weekdays and all day at weekends and bank holidays.
Card holders can also buy a Metro Gold Card for £25 if resident in Tyne and Wear (£35 otherwise) extending the benefit to the Metro system and Shields Ferry.