THOUSANDS of travellers around Ipswich are lagging behind when it comes to getting a good deal.The time has come for all holders of existing Ipswich Borough Council concessionary travel cards to renew them.

By Jessica Nicholls

THOUSANDS of travellers around Ipswich are lagging behind when it comes to getting a good deal.

The time has come for all holders of existing Ipswich Borough Council concessionary travel cards to renew them.

Although 11,000 cards have already been issued by the council it is believed there could still be up to 5,000 people who have yet to apply.

Changing the cards is a big job and the preliminary deadline is 1st April but the council's principal transportation officer John Jacobs is hoping that not everyone leaves it until the last minute.

The new cards have changed design and will now have digital photographs on the plastic credit card style passes.

Addresses will also be removed from the passes as a new security measure.

But if some people do forget to renew their cards Mr Jacobs said they should still be able to travel for a time.

He said: "But it will be pointed out to people that they have the wrong card and that they should renew it. We have had a very good response so far."

Ipswich Borough Council is unique in Suffolk in that it has run two concessionary travel schemes: the Borough scheme – travel anywhere within the borough boundary for a flat fare of 30p, and the Suffolk Saver which means passengers can travel at no more than half fare throughout the county.

The Suffolk Saver annual passes will now be offered free of charge and the Borough Scheme passes, which offer a cheaper alternative to the Suffolk Saver scheme if people travel only within the Borough, will now cost £1 a year. Eligible residents can apply for one or both passes (the annual fee for both passes will be £6).

Application forms and information leaflets are available from the Civic Centre reception or the Tower Ramparts Bus Station.

A helpline is also available on 01473 432062.s