THE Devonwide partnership is urging the over 60s and those with disabilities to apply now for their free national bus pass ahead of its introduction next April. All 105,000 people who hold a free off-peak bus pass through Devonwide will receive a letter in the next few days informing them that Devonwide will be replaced by the new national travel scheme on April 1 2008 and giving them the opportunity to apply for the new pass. The new scheme will provide free off-peak travel on all local bus services throughout England between 9.30am and 11pm on weekdays and anytime on Saturdays, Sundays and public bank holidays. Current Devonwide pass-holders will be eligible for a national bus pass, but those who do not have one will also be eligible through Devonwide if they live in the council areas of West Devon or Torridge, and if they are either aged 60 or over or are disabled. Lesley Halton, chair of Devonwide, said: ?The new national concessionary bus fare pass will allow eligible residents to travel for free on local bus services across England. We hope you will want to take advantage of this new benefit and we would like to encourage you to respond quickly to this letter so that we can ensure you receive the new pass in good time for the new scheme which will start next April.? The scheme will be run locally by district councils with Devon County Council managing the administration for seven of the Devon district councils. Devonwide pass-holders applying for the national pass must check their details are correct on the form that will be sent with the letter. They must also include a passport photo of themselves as the pass will be a credit card style smartcard with a digitized photo of the pass-holder on it, and sign the form before returning it in the envelope provided. The national pass will be issued free of charge, but it will not permit concessions for companions and will not be valid for concessions on trains or other forms of public transport. Pass-holders travelling before 9.30am and after 11pm on Mondays to Fridays will be charged the commercial fares set by the bus operator. For more information regarding the scheme call 01392 382900.