Accord Card To Deliver Access To Leisure
Tens of thousands of people across Aberdeen will soon benefit from free Access to Leisure membership offering discounted sports and social activities with the city's pioneering citizen card - The Accord Card.
From next week, a new generation of Accord Cards will be rolled out, bringing with them new features adding real value for around 40,000 of our regular users.
The cards will also continue to deliver the benefits (to those entitled) that thousands are already enjoying - such as travel concessions, library membership, proof-of-age and great discounts, including a deal at the city's Lemon Tree Café.
Previously, anyone living in Aberdeen and over 60 or in receipt of certain benefits could apply for a paper Access to Leisure card at a cost of up to £2 per year.
Now, residents of Aberdeen City aged 60 and over will automatically have Access to Leisure membership added to their new Accord Card - with no need to reapply every year.
The eligibility criteria and length of membership for Access to Leisure applicants who are under 60 years of age will remain the same but there will no longer be a charge for membership. Applicants under 60 years of age will still be required to supply current proof of entitlement and residency prior to Access to Leisure membership being added to their Accord card.
All the information needed to prove entitlement will be stored within the card's microchip and can only be accessed by placing the card on an electronic reader at those Council sites that offer a discount.
As the entitlement is held electronically on the card, it can also be easily updated and renewed electronically at Council libraries and Customer Access Points. It is also more secure, as information is not printed on the card.
Those people entitled to Access to Leisure can enjoy a huge range of discounts and offers at Council leisure facilities - including free swim sessions at most pools and huge savings on ACE Club memberships, golf season passes and bowling membership.
The existing paper A2L cards will be phased out and, from February 1 they will no longer be accepted as proof of entitlement. Events have been held across the city to help those who only have a paper card to transfer to the new electronic scheme.
The new cards, which also support (for those entitled) the national entitlement for free bus travel for thousands of elderly or disabled cardholders, are currently being printed and should start arriving at homes across the city from October 18.
Due to the sheer popularity of the card and the number to be delivered, not all users will receive their card on the 18th.
However, users should expect to receive their card before the end of the month and should call the Accord Helpline (printed on their existing card) if they have not received it by the end of October 2007.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that hundreds of people in Aberdeen are missing out on their right to free travel within Scotland.
While almost 40,000 people aged over 60 or with a disability signed up for a national entitlement card - delivered with Accord in Aberdeen - around 1,500 people currently eligible have not taken a card.
They can apply for Scotland-wide free bus travel at The Point, Peterculter Area Office, Bucksburn Area Office, Mastrick Customer Access Point or Kincorth Customer Access Point.
Back to the Accord Card Scheme home page.
