In the coming months, Metro will start the process enabling people to renew the English National Concessionary Transport Scheme (ENCTS) cards which give seniors, disabled people and blind people free bus travel.

Because Metro is required to issue the cards with a five-year expiry date, the people that were sent cards when the scheme was introduced in 2008 will have to apply for a new one by the end of March 2013.

Soon, card-holders will be able to renew their pass through this website.

"Thanks to the recent development which enables people to apply online through the Metro website, renewing these cards is a simple and straightforward process," said Metro's Assistant Director of Customer Services, Diane Groom.

"We are putting procedures into place that will ensure that everyone who needs a replacement card will get one before the expiry date of March next year, and we will be publicising details of those procedures in the lead up to August, explaining what people need to do."

Experience in other areas has shown that most cardholders are confident and happy to renew their cards online. However, later in the year those people who will not want to renew through the website, will be able to do so on the telephone via MetroLine or in person at Travel Centres.

ENCTS cards provide West Yorkshire residents who are seniors, or disabled, with free, off-peak, bus travel throughout England and half-fare, off-peak train travel within West Yorkshire.

Blind people's passes entitle them to travel for free on West Yorkshire buses at any time of day, free off-peak bus travel throughout the rest of England and free train travel at any time of day, for all journeys within West Yorkshire.