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• Driving and transport
• Parking, public transport and the environment

Apply for an older person's bus pass

If you live in england or wales.

In England you can get a bus pass for free travel when you reach the State Pension age .

If you live in London, you can travel free on buses, tubes and other transport when you’re 60, but only within London.

In Wales you can get a bus pass when you reach 60.

Enter your postcode to:

• apply for a bus pass from your local council
• check if you can get one sooner

Find a postcode on Royal Mail's postcode finder

If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland

You get an older person’s bus pass when you’re 60. Apply if you’re in:

• Northern Ireland

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Benefits and Entitlements

If you're 60 or over or you have a disability, you might be eligible for public transport concessions – from discounts on your rail journeys to a free bus pass.

What transport concessions are available?

Can i get a free bus pass, can i get a discount on train travel, can i get a london freedom pass, what if i have difficulty using public transport, what if i'm unable to use public transport, more travel concessions questions.

There are several national public transport concessions available to older and disabled people. Some entitle you to discounts on your fares, while others allow you to travel for free.

Eligibility for these concessions depends on whether you have a disability or your age. 

Depending on your age and your circumstances, you might be able to get one of the following free bus passes, which allow you to travel free on local buses:

• an older person's bus pass
• a disabled person's bus pass

What age do I have to be to get an older person's bus pass?

You can get an older person's bus pass when you reach State Pension age, which is currently 66 for both women and men.

Apply for your older person's bus pass on GOV.UK

If you're 60 or over and live in London, then you can get free travel on buses, trains and other modes of transport in and around London with a 60+ London Oyster photocard.

Apply for your 60+ London Oyster photocard on the TFL website

How can I get a disabled person's bus pass?

There's no central provider of the disabled person's bus pass – to find out if you're eligible and how to apply, you need to get in touch with your local council.

Find your local council and apply for a disabled person's bus pass on GOV.UK

Are there any other discounts if I'm an older person or I'm disabled?

It's a good idea to contact individual transport operators to see if they offer discounts.

For instance, National Express offers Coachcards. These are discount cards for older or disabled customers. You buy them for a set fee of £15.00 and they get you a third off the cost of your travel across the year.

Find out more and order a Coachcard on the National Express website

Depending on your age and circumstances, you might be entitled to one of the below railcards:

• a Senior Railcard
• a Disabled Person's Railcard

Both railcards are discount cards. You buy them for a set fee to last either 1 or 3 years and they get you a third off the cost of your train travel.

Can I get a Senior Railcard?

The Senior Railcard is available for anyone aged 60 or over to buy.

You can apply on the Senior Railcard website using a valid passport or UK driving licence as ID. Or, you can apply in person at most staffed railway stations.

Find out more about the Senior Railcard and apply online

Can I get a Disabled Person's Railcard?

The Disabled Person's Railcard is available to you if you meet one of the following criteria:

• you're registered as deaf or use a hearing aid
• you're registered as having a visual impairment
• you have epilepsy
• you receive a disability-related benefit, such as  Personal Independence Payment
• you receive War or Service Disablement pension
• you receive Attendance Allowance
• you receive Severe Disablement Allowance
• you receive War Pensioner's mobility supplement

Find out more about the Disabled Person's Railcard and apply online

Freedom Passes give London residents free travel in the city – including National Rail services, the Underground, buses, river services and trams – and free local bus journeys nationally.

If you live in London, you can apply for a Freedom Pass if one of the following applies to you:

• you've reached State Pension age
• you have a disability.

Find out more about Freedom Passes and apply on the London Councils website

National Rail has an interactive tool called Stations Made Easy, designed to help people find their way around stations and find more accessible routes, avoiding potential difficulties like stairs. This may be helpful if you have difficulty using public transport because of your health. 

Find out more and use the tool on the National Rail website

If you're disabled, you can't use public transport, or you don't have access to a car, you might also be able to use a community transport scheme – such as a social car, dial-a-ride, or taxicard scheme.

Shopmobility schemes help people shop in town centres by lending out wheelchairs and scooters. Some local councils also offer concessions on local public transport.

To find out what's available in your area, you can contact your local council or your local Age UK.

Find your local council on GOV.UK

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No, you can't use a free bus pass on National Express buses. To get senior concessions on National Express you need to buy a senior coachcard, which costs £15 a year.

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Yes, your bus pass will give you free travel on buses across England, including London. However, there may be specific rules about when you can travel for free, so check your local council's free bus pass guidance before travelling.

Find your local council's older person's bus pass guidance on GOV.UK

Want more information?

Apply for an older person's bus pass on GOV.UK

Apply for a disabled person's bus pass on GOV.UK

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Last updated: Apr 09 2024

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London Councils

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• Freedom Pass

Login to Freedom Pass

TFL 60+ London Oyster photocard

The 60+ Oyster pass is a travel scheme provided by the Mayor of London and Transport for London.

Eligibility

• Be over 60 but not yet be  eligible for a Freedom Pass  
• Have your sole or principal residence in London

Apply for a 60+ Oyster pass on the TFL website

Using the pass.

The pass allows free travel on buses, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and most National Rail services in London. Pass holders also get a discounted fare on River services and the Emirates Air Line.

60+ Oyster pass holders are not entitled to free travel on services outside of London.

Transferring your 60+ Oyster pass to a Freedom Pass

Once you become eligible for a Freedom Pass you are no longer eligible for a 60+ Oyster card.

As long as you didn't opt out of TFL sharing your data with London Councils you will be sent a letter asking you to confirm your name and address. Once we have received confirmation of your details we will issue you with a new Freedom Pass. You do not need to re-apply or send us a new photograph.

If you have received your letter to transfer your 60+ Oyster pass you can transfer it online here  

View the Freedom Pass privacy statement to find out what information we collect, why we collect it, and how long we keep your information for.

If you do not wish to share your data or if your address has changed since you applied for your 60+ Oyster pass you will need to complete a separate application form for the Freedom Pass once you become eligible.

If you have changed your mind about whether or not you would like your data to be shared please contact TFL on 0343 222 1234 to amend your record.

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Benefits & entitlements

One of the perks of getting older in the UK is the transport concessions you get, such as the free bus pass.

What transport concessions could I get as an older person?

At what age am i eligible to claim, how do i apply for these concessions.

The main national public transport concessions available to older people are:

• Free older person's bus pass   means you can travel free on local buses in England.
• The Senior Railcard is an annual savings card. You buy it for a one-off cost each year and it will allow you to make big savings on most rail fares in the UK.
• London Freedom Pass gives you free or discounted travel for London residents across London transport networks, including trams, national rail, the underground, river services, and buses.
• Various transport concessions available to disabled older people

It’s also worth contacting the individual coach and train operators to see if they offer discounts for older people. For example, National Express offers a Senior Coachcard for people who are 60 and over. It costs £12.50 and offers a third off your travel throughout the year.

Some local authorities offer concessions that apply to local public transport. Contact your local council for more information about what they offer.

• Free older person’s bus pass: the age at which you can apply for your free bus pass depends on when you were born and where you live.
• Use GOV.UK's State Pension calculator to find an exact date of when you can apply for your free bus pass
• The Senior Railcard: available to anyone aged 60 or over.
• London Freedom Pass: Eligibility for this pass is in line with the women’s State Pension age. People born on or after 6 October 1954 will have to wait until they are 66 years old to be eligible for a Freedom Pass.
• Get more information and check if you're eligible on the Freedom Pass website
• If you're over 60 but not yet eligible for a Freedom pass, get a special Oyster card for free travel in London

Free older person’s bus pass

Contact your local authority for more information on how to apply

Find out more

Senior Railcard

You can order online from the Senior Railcard website using a valid passport or UK driving licence as ID, or you can also apply at most staffed railway stations.

Apply via the website

Freedom Pass

The Freedom Pass website tells you all the documents you'll need to complete application.

For more information call the Age UK Advice Line on 0800 055 6112 . We’re open 8am to 7pm, every day of the year.

What benefits can you claim?

Age UK's Benefits Calculator can help you, quickly and easily, identify what means-tested benefits you could be entitled.

Get a benefits check

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Last updated: Mar 26 2019

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Get an older person's travel pass

You can get a pass for free bus travel anywhere in England when you reach the female State Pension age. It does not matter if you’re a man or a woman.

The pass lets you travel for free during off-peak times:

• between 9.30am and 11pm, Monday to Friday
• all day at weekends and on public holidays

If you live in the West Midlands, you can use your pass on the buses from 9.30am until 11.59pm. You can also get free travel on:

• trains in the Blue Zone from 9.30am to 11.59pm
• trams from 9.30am until the last service of the day

If you want to travel before 9.30am, you can get a £1.50 single fare on National Express West Midlands buses. Show your travel pass to the driver and ask for a £1.50 single ticket.

If you often travel before 9.30am, you can get a pre-9.30 add-on ticket. Use our ticket finder to find pre-9.30 add-on tickets .

You can also use your travel pass as a pay as you go card. This means you can use it to pay for:

• travel before 9.30 am

To use your travel pass as a pay-as-you-go card, you need to either:

• register your card online

Check if you're eligible

You can find out if you've reached the age for free bus travel on the GOV.UK website.

You can get a West Midlands older person's travel pass if you live in the West Midlands. You must live at a property where council tax is paid to one of these councils:

• Wolverhampton

If you do not live in the West Midlands, contact your local authority to apply.

Apply for an older person's pass

You can either:

• apply online
• download an application form to print out and send in the post

If you apply through the post, send your application to the address on the form.

Renew your travel pass

We'll write to you 4 to 6 weeks before your pass expires and tell you how to renew it.

If you’ve lost your letter, you can still renew your travel pass online .

You should get your new pass 2 weeks before your current one expires. Contact Customer Services if you have not got it by then.

Customer Services - Ticketing

Telephone: 0345 303 6760

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 8am to 6pm Wednesdays, 10am to 6pm Saturdays, 9am to 1pm Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays

Update the details on your travel pass

You can update your personal details online if your name or address has changed.

You can update your photo by email or by post. Send your new photo to Ticketing Services.

You'll need to send us:

• a new, passport-style colour photo
• your full name and address
• the 16-digit number on the front of your travel pass

Customer Services - Ticketing Transport for West Midlands 16 Summer Lane Birmingham B19 3SD

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News | Transport

‘Devastating’: Sadiq Khan bans pensioners from using free travel passes before 9am on weekdays - sparking angry backlash

A decision to axe free travel for older Londoners in the morning rush-hour has been described as “devastating”.

Sadiq Khan announced on Wednesday that a temporary ban on the use of 60+ Oyster or Freedom Pass cards before 9am on weekdays was being made permanent, with immediate effect.

The restriction was first introduced on weekdays in June 2020 , primarily to ensure public transport was kept free for key workers during the first phase of the pandemic.

But the mayor decided to keep the pre-9am ban after being told by Transport for London that it could generate an additional £40m a year in fares .

Abigail Wood, chief executive of Age UK London, said: “We are devastated that the voices of older Londoners have been ignored. Affordable transport is a lifeline not a luxury and this cut penalises them with no choice about when and how they travel.

“Age UK London is deeply concerned this comes at the worst possible time as the cost-of-living crisis worsens and more and more older Londoners are plunged into poverty.

“One in four older Londoners live in poverty – the highest level in the country – and London has some of the highest living costs in the world. This is the wrong decision at the worst possible time.”

The decision was part of Mr Khan’s wider fares package, which will see the cost of travel on TfL services such as the Tube, London Overground, Elizabeth line and London buses, increase by an average of 5.9 per cent from March 5 .

However a previous suggestion of gradually phasing out the 60+ Oyster - by increasing the qualifying age by six months each year – has been ditched.

The 60+ Oyster is funded by TfL and gives London residents aged over 60 free travel on TfL services.

It is separate to the Older Persons Freedom Pass, which is funded by the capital’s 33 borough councils and gives free travel to London residents over the State pension age of 66.

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About 1.3m older Londoners benefit from free travel. A petition signed by more than 10,000 people was submitted to the mayor in November .

City Hall said on Wednesday that the free travel concessions available to older Londoners remained “more generous than that available to older people across England”.

Mr Khan – who said his fare rises were a consequence of Government orders for TfL services to mirror the 5.9 per cent rise in national rail fares – will use City Hall funds to retain the 60+ Oyster and travel concessions for under 18s.

Holders of the Disabled Person’s Freedom Pass will still be able to travel for free before 9am throughout the week.

In addition, the Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, has written to London NHS Trust and GP bodies to request that medical appointments for those aged 60 and over are, where possible and appropriate, scheduled after 9am to help ensure that free travel can be used to and from their appointments.

Research by Age UK London found that 27 per cent of 60+ Oyster card or Freedom Pass holders who travelled before 9am on weekdays had had to cut costs elsewhere to afford to travel.

TfL continues to consider whether to withdraw from the Travelcard agreement with train companies – a system that allows integrated fares across a wider network than just that operated by TfL.

It came as business groups said the 5.9 per cent average fare rise would be “deeply concerning to Londoners” and could encourage more to work from home.

Adam Tyndall, programme director for transport at BusinessLDN, said: “Increasing fares goes against the tide of progressive cities making public transport cheaper and more accessible to expand ridership, boost their economies, and tackle the climate emergency. Without a similar plan, London is at risk of falling further behind international counterparts.”

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How to save money when you’re 60-plus

Claim deals in restaurants and pubs, in cinemas and theatres and when travelling by train or coach

Eating out and entertainment

The soaring cost of living makes it more important than ever to ensure your money stretches as far as possible.

Fortunately, if you are 60-plus, you can benefit from a wide range of deals and discounts and save plenty of cash.

Some pubs, restaurants, cinemas and theatres offer discounts to people over 60, particularly during weekdays when people are at work.

Check with your local pub, as they often offer discounted lunches on certain days of the week. Some Greene King pubs offer seniors loyalty schemes, providing a 50% discount off every fourth meal, and seniors menus every day, with one or perhaps two courses for £4.49.

The Odeon cinema chain offers reduced tickets for over-60s through its Silver Cinema initiative, with tickets from £3.50, and tea, coffee and biscuits served before the film.

Similarly, Empire’s Seniors scheme for over-60s offers tickets for £3.75 every Wednesday, with tea or coffee again included.

Turning to theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company offers discounted tickets to the over-65s on selected performances, with a 20% discount available on all seats for Monday and Tuesday evening performances and all midweek matinees.

The over-60s can save on midweek matinees at London’s National Theatre, with £66 seats reduced to £46 and £56 seats reduced to £36 in its two biggest venues.

Gardens, museums and attractions

The National Trust’s senior membership offers over-60s who have been a member of the organisation for at least five out of the last 10 years a 25% discount off adult rates. It is £57.60 for individual senior membership, or £95.40 for joint senior membership.

English Heritage offers reduced-price senior membership for people over 65, at £59 a year compared with £66 (or £92 a year for joint membership if you are both over 65). This gives you access to more than 400 historic sites, free entry for up to six children, and free or reduced entry to events.

You can buy a discounted lifetime membership for the Royal Horticultural Society if you are over 60. It’s certainly not cheap but the discount is substantial: £935 compared with £1,495.

Other sites that offer discounts to the over-60s include Longleat safari park, house and gardens and Beamish open air museum.

Energy and bills

Most people born before 25 September 1956 are entitled to a winter fuel payment of between £250 and £600 to help pay their heating bills. The amount includes a one-off “pensioner cost of living payment” this winter of between £150 and £300. You should receive this automatically by 13 January 2023 if you get the state pension, but if you don’t, you may need to make a claim.

If you receive certain benefits such as pension credit, you can also claim the cold weather payment . This is worth £25 for every seven-day period of “very cold weather” between 1 November and 31 March. The money should be paid into your bank account automatically but if you don’t receive it, contact your pension centre or jobcentre to claim.

Check whether you are entitled to a free gas safety check from your energy supplier or local authority if you are over 60. Remember that if you are struggling to pay your bills, your provider should do whatever it can to help elderly or vulnerable people. This could include free or discounted home insulation or boiler installation, or an energy grant if you are in debt, for example.

As the cost of food rockets, you will want to do what you can to save on your grocery shop.

The supermarket chain Iceland offers those aged 60-plus a 10% discount in-store every Tuesday, with no minimum spend. You will need to show proof of age to claim your discount.

Many retailers also offer loyalty scheme bonuses for this age group. For example, if you are 60 or over and have a Boots Advantage card, you can earn eight points (compared with four) for every £1 spent on Boots-branded products. You can also receive 20% off glasses at Boots Opticians.

Meanwhile, Specsavers offers 20% off glasses in its £69 range or above for the over-60s.

You can also get free NHS prescriptions if you are over 60, provided you complete the back of the prescription form, and you may be asked for proof of age.

Home and pets

Rest Less, the digital community for those in their 50s, 60s and beyond, offers a wide range of discounts to its members. These include 50% off a year’s membership with TrustedHousesitters (usually £99 for the basic package), a website that matches homeowners with pet sitters.

The charity Dogs Trust offers half-price membership for the over-60s (£12.50 a year instead of £25). Membership gives you 24-hour access to a phone line for advice from qualified vets, and third-party insurance if your dog causes damage or injury to another person, their property or pets.

If you are on a low income and over 60, you may be able to use charity Age UK’s “handyperson” scheme. This gives you access to free or discounted repairs and other services.

If you have reached state pension age, which is now 66 for both men and women, you are entitled to free off-peak travel on local buses in England. Check the government website to see if you qualify and to apply for an older person’s bus pass. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland you are entitled to a free bus pass when you reach 60.

If you travel by train, you can apply for a senior railcard once you turn 60. This costs £30 for a year or £70 for three years, and entitles you to third off standard or first-class fares.

Abigail Yearley, a spokesperson for the website TopCashback, says: “On top of this, there are some great offers to help save on the railcard itself, as we’re currently offering up to 31% in cashback to new customers of Trainline, meaning a three-year senior railcard would cost you just under £50.”

If you are over 60, not yet eligible for a Freedom Pass and live in London, the 60+ Oyster pass allows free travel on buses, tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and most National Rail services in the capital. Meanwhile, the older person’s Freedom Pass gives you free travel across London and free local bus journeys nationally. You must meet the age criteria, which you can check on the website . The eligibility age is rising in line with the women’s state pension age.

If you travel by coach, you can get a National Express senior coachcard for £15 a year (£12.50 plus £2.50 p&p) to save a third off standard and fully flexible fares.

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Free and discounted travel for over 60s 

Apply for a concessionary travel pass  for free bus and free train travel on certain routes. You can also get train tickets at reduced prices. 

With a Senior Railcard you can get 1/3 off rail fares to travel across Britain. Visit senior-railcard.co.uk to see how you can apply and how much you could save. 

You're entitled to a Concessionary Travel Card if you're at least 60 years old and your primary residence is in Wales.

You're entitled to a Concessionary Travel Card if you are an eligible disabled person and your primary residence is in Wales.

Free bus passes for older people

A free bus pass allows eligible senior Surrey residents to travel on buses free of charge .

It's valid between 9.30am and 11pm from Monday to Friday, and at any time on weekends and public holidays.

In this section

• Renew your free bus pass
• Replace a lost / stolen pass
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60+ or disabled

If you are over 60 or have a disability, you could be eligible for free bus travel to get around Scotland and your local area. You can access this via the National Entitlement Card, your pass to free bus travel in Scotland.

The National Entitlement Card scheme also allows for free travel for companions where required by eligible disabled people of any age (including children under 5).

How to apply

To apply for a National Entitlement Card, you should contact your local authority or Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) for details of the application process in your area. There may be a different process if applying on age grounds as opposed to grounds of disability. Your local authority will be able to tell you if you need to complete an application form and what you need to do when you apply.

We are unable to send out forms as these should be obtained from your local authority/council office. It is not possible to download forms from the website or send these by email.

In order to make the application process as smooth as possible, you will need:

• a completed application form (not all local authorities require this, check with yours to confirm the process in your area)
• a recent passport type photograph
• proof of age or disability
• proof of your current address

Check the National Entitlement Card website for more information on proofs required to confirm your identity and address.

If applying on grounds of disability, check the eligibility section on the Transport Scotland website for more information on proofs required.

Objectives and benefits

The scheme provides free travel on registered local and long-distance bus services throughout Scotland, at any time of day for any number of journeys, for those aged 60 and over, as well as for eligible disabled people who live in Scotland.

Cardholders living in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles receive two free return ferry journeys each year to the Scottish mainland.

The key objectives of the concessionary travel scheme are to:

• allow older and disabled people, improved access to services, facilities and social networks, promoting social inclusion
• improve health by promoting a more active lifestyle for the elderly and disabled
• remove the restrictions of the previous local off-peak concessionary fare scheme which was limited in offering access to facilities
• promote a modal shift from private cars to public transport
• maintain a viable position for bus operators with a standard reimbursement rate
• provide opportunities for improvements to public transport, such as assisting development of multi-operator ticketing and the use of electronic ticket machine technology
• facilitate a more effective administration of the system by adopting a standard reimbursement rate and shifting operational responsibility from local authorities to Transport Scotland
• provide a stimulus to the introduction of smart ticketing

Where can I travel?

Almost everywhere in Scotland and as far as Carlisle and Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Your National Entitlement Card gives you free travel throughout Scotland on nearly all local registered and long-distance scheduled bus services. Only a few services, such as premium-fare night buses and City Sightseeing buses, do not accept the card.

So many of Scotland's major towns and cities are easily accessible with the National Entitlement Card. Use the Visit Scotland website to find out how you can reach some of the country's best attractions by bus.

Some local authorities offer other discounts on rail, tram or subway for their card-holders. Your card-issuing Local Authority can tell you more – a contact number can be found on the back of your card when you receive it.

Using your card

You can use your National Entitlement Card to get a ticket in advance or on the bus. Advance tickets must be collected in person.

When you get on the bus, look for the electronic ticket machine by the door to the driver's compartment. Place your card on the machine with your photograph facing up and tell the driver your stop. The driver will help you if you need assistance. If there isn't a ticket machine like this, just show the driver your card and tell them your stop.

Remember you can only use your most recently issued National Entitlement Card on the bus. Any other cards will not work and you will not be allowed free bus travel.

If the electronic ticket machine did not recognise your card it may have expired or be damaged. If this is the case, please contact your Local Authority immediately to arrange a new card. You should allow at least two weeks to receive your card. If this will take longer, your local council will tell you about this when you apply.

If the card appears to be valid but does not work on the machine, the driver will give you the option to pay the full fare and keep your card or hand over your card in exchange for a seven day temporary pass. The temporary pass will be valid for free travel for you but the companion element will not be available. You should then contact your Local Authority immediately to request a new card. You should allow at least two weeks to receive your card. If this will take longer, your local council will tell you about this when you apply.

Eligibility

Over 60s eligibility.

To be eligible for the NEC, you must be:

• Aged 60 or older
• A resident of Scotland

Disabled people eligibility

If you're a resident in Scotland and meet one of the following criteria, you're entitled to free bus travel with the National Entitlement Card:

• You receive a qualifying DWP benefit - Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, War Pension Constant Attendance Allowance, or the  higher  rate of the mobility component or the  higher or middle  rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance.
• You receive a qualifying Social Security Scotland benefit - Pension Age Disability payment, Adult Disability Payment, or receive the higher rate of the mobility component or the higher or middle rate of the care component of Child Disability Payment.

When applying you will need to take along a copy of your benefit award letter from the DWP or Social Security Scotland confirming your eligibility.  The letter must be dated within the last 18 months and confirm the length of benefit entitlement. For details on getting your award letter, please contact the DWP or Social Security Scotland. 

• You live in a care/residential home or hospital and are eligible for Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Adult Disability Payment, Pension Age Disability Payment or the higher or middle rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance or Child Disability Payment. In many cases a DWP or Social Security Scotland benefit may be suspended whilst someone is in care or hospital – in that case you can provide a letter from the hospital/care home confirming that you are eligible for one of the above benefits, you live there, and receive 24 hour care.
• You are a Blue Badge holder . Take your Blue Badge, or your latest V11 vehicle licensing reminder from DVLA or DLA404 from the Department for Work and Pensions when you apply for your card. Please note that a valid Blue Badge issued outside Scotland, in the rest of the UK or by the authorities of another EU member state will be acceptable.
• You are profoundly or severely deaf . Take along a recent letter from your Audiologist, Hospital Consultant or Registered Society for the Deaf when you apply. The letter must show that you have bilateral hearing loss greater than or equal to 70dBHLs averaged over 1, 2 and 4KHz. If you have been deaf since birth, a letter from your GP confirming this is fine too.
• You have a sight impairment . If you are aged 16 and over you will need to provide a copy of  the Certificate of Vision (CVI) Scotland form.  As of 1 April 2018 the CVI Scotland form replaced the previous BP1 form.

If you are aged under 16 you should provide a letter from a VINCYP team member Visual Impairment Network for Children and Young People . You can also provide a letter from a health professional such as an ophthalmologist or paediatrician which states that you ‘meet the criteria for visual impairment as defined by VINCYP'. In addition, parents / carers of children and young people under 16 with a visual impairment may be able to use letters from other registered societies or voluntary sector organisations supporting people with sight loss (where they are happy to provide such a letter).

• You have been told not to drive based on medical grounds . Take the DVLA confirmation letter as evidence when you apply showing that your licence has been revoked or your application has been refused on medical grounds. If you have epilepsy and been told not to drive because you have had a seizure in the last 12 months, you should use the NCT003 certificate. The NCT003 certificate is only valid where the applicant is 16yrs and over (the earliest date they can apply for a provisional licence). Collect the certificate from your Local Authority and ask your Hospital Consultant, GP or Epilepsy Specialist Nurse to sign. For other medical conditions where you have been told you would not be allowed to drive and if you were to apply for a licence, would be refused, you may be able to provide a recent letter from your GP or Hospital Consultant depending on your circumstances to confirm this. For further information, please check with your local authority.
• You have a mental health condition that is recognised under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 and has lasted for more than a year. You must need to travel to health or social care appointments as part of treatment activities, care or a rehabilitation programme. Your ability to travel must also be impaired. Please contact your Local Authority for advice on how and where to apply using the NCT002 form.
• If you have a learning disability and you need to travel to see a Support Worker or get to appointments or activities you will need to get a NCT002a form. Read our guide on how to apply
• Please note: The BASRiS form will replace the DS1500 for Scotland's new forms of Disability Assistance
• Read Social Security Scotland’s guide on when to complete a BASRiS form
• You have a progressive degenerative condition . Conditions such as Parkinson's Disease that severely impede your mobility may entitle you to free bus travel. Ask your hospital consultant or other specialist medical professional who is responsible for providing any treatment and support (such as your Specialist Nurse), to provide a letter confirming that your diagnosed health condition is considered ‘progressive degenerative' and that it severely impedes your mobility and ability to carry out day to day activities. Any letter from a medical professional must clearly confirm these qualifying criteria otherwise it cannot be accepted.
• You have lost one or more limbs . If you have lost one or both legs, both arms or an arm and a leg you are entitled to free bus travel. Request a letter from your prosthetic clinic/centre, physiotherapist or rehabilitation centre for your application.
• You are an injured veteran with mobility problems. Provide a Veterans UK or Ministry of Defence letter certifying award of lump sum payment within Tariff levels 1-8 under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme , or provide a letter from Veterans UK or Ministry of Defence certifying award of a lump sum payment due to a permanent and substantial disability causing inability to walk or considerable difficulty in walking.
• You receive a War Pensioner Mobility Supplement. Please provide a letter from Veterans UK or Ministry of Defence confirming receipt of this benefit in your application.

The National Entitlement Card scheme also allows for free travel for one companion where required by an eligible disabled person of any age (including children under 5).

Companions can make travel much easier, helping you to get on and off buses, carrying shopping and communicating with the driver. You can stay free and mobile, while making full use of your NEC.

Companions can travel for free with all NEC holders that have the +1 logo on their card.

Your companion and journey can vary, but your companion can only travel for free when they are with you. You are not obliged to travel with a companion, but the entitlement is there for when you need it.

Please note that companions must be aged 5 or over .

Your companion is entitled to travel for free if you meet one of the following criteria:

• You live in a care/residential home or hospital and are eligible for Attendance Allowance, the higher or lower rate of the daily living component of the Personal Independence Payment or the higher or middle rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance. In many cases DWP benefit may be suspended whilst someone is in care or hospital – in that case you can provide a letter from the hospital/care home confirming that you are eligible for one of the above benefits, live there and receive 24 hour care.
• You live in a care/residential home or hospital and are eligible for the higher or middle rate of the care component of the Child Disability Payment or are eligible for the standard or enhanced rate of the daily living component of the Adult Disability payment or are eligible for the Pension Age Disability Payment. In many cases Social Security Scotland benefit may be suspended whilst someone is in care or hospital – in that case you can provide a letter from the hospital/care home confirming that you are eligible for one of the above benefits, you live there and receive 24 hour care.
• You receive the higher or middle rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance
• You receive the higher or lower rate of daily living component of Personal Independence Payment
• You receive Attendance Allowance
• You receive the Child Disability Payment – higher or middle rate of the care component.
• You receive Pension Age Disability Payment
• You receive Adult Disability Payment – standard or enhanced rate of the daily living component
• You are severely sight impaired (blind)
• You receive war pensions constant attendance allowance

If you receive one of the qualifying benefits you'll need a letter to confirm your eligibility. The letter must be dated within the last 18 months and confirm the length of benefit entitlement. For details on getting your letter, please contact the DWP or Social Security Scotland. If you live in a care or residential home or hospital and your qualifying benefit is suspended a letter from them is needed confirming that you are eligible for the benefit, you live there and receive 24 hour care.

If you are severely sight impaired (blind), please provide a copy of your registration certificate - CVI Scotland form if aged 16 or over.  If aged under 16, you must provide a letter from VINCYP/medical professional or other registered society or voluntary sector organisation stating that you have a severe sight impairment that has been confirmed by an ophthalmologist or paediatrician.

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme

If you are a disabled veteran, you could qualify for free travel with a National Entitlement Card.

You will qualify if you have received a lump sum benefit under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme within tariff levels 1 - 8 (inclusive) and the Secretary of State certifies that you have a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.

You will need to produce a certification letter from Veterans UK. You will also qualify under the same criteria if your injuries do not hinder your mobility but the injury can be cross referenced to the descriptors within the AFCS Injuries Table as detailed below.

Getting and using your card

When you get your card.

Please check that the photograph and personal details on your new card are correct. If any are not, or if this card is for someone who is no longer at the address, telephone the number on the back of the card to report this. If your new card replaces an existing card,  you need to start using it immediately and destroy any old cards you have as these will not work on the ticketing machines.

Using the card

Your card has been issued to give you free bus travel throughout Scotland under the concessionary travel scheme. In some areas your card may get you discounts on other modes of transport depending on where you live.  For information and advice on local non-bus concessions you should phone the number on the back of your card. It is possible to book in advance with your National Entitlement Card but you may incur a booking fee. Some bus operators may waive the fee, check before you book.

This card has been issued to you and should only be used by the eligible person named on the card. It is for your safekeeping and it should not be given to anyone else. Transport Scotland has a fraud policy and any person(s) found to be misusing any aspect of the scheme may have their entitlement to free bus travel withdrawn and incidents of misuse may also be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

Cardholders also have a duty to report any changes of circumstances which may affect their entitlement, including changes of address, to the local authority. Check the back of your card for the right number.

You can use your card on any local or long-distance registered bus service throughout Scotland, excluding late night services where a premium fare is charged, tours or excursion services and group hire services.

Full details of the NEC terms and conditions

Travel using a National Entitlement Card is subject to the normal regulations and conditions of carriage of each transport operator. Your card gives you the same rights as a full-fare paying passenger.

Tickets for Concessionary Bus Travel

The National Concessionary Travel Scheme legislation does not require paper tickets to be issued to cardholders for concession journeys. The issuing of paper tickets to passengers is an operational decision at the discretion of the bus operator.

When a National Entitlement Card is placed on the ticket machine this will automatically record the boarding stage, to receive reimbursement for the journey the driver must accurately record the requested destination stage. Whilst this information forms the record of this journey, all concession claims undergo comprehensive audit compliance and analysis checks before any reimbursement is made.

Concerns of misuse of the Concessionary Travel Schemes should be reported to our 24-hour dedicated Freephone line 0800 328 5690. If you have any other questions about concessionary bus travel, please email us at [email protected]

Travel outwith Scotland

Your National Entitlement Card is valid for services that operate wholly within Scotland or northern England only, you can use it on services to and from Carlisle and on services to and from Berwick-upon-Tweed from anywhere in Scotland, however, your card is not valid for travel within these towns or anywhere else out with Scotland.

Please note, National Express services operating in Scotland unfortunately do not meet this criteria as they do not operate wholly within Scotland or Northern England, as such, they do not accept National Entitlement Cards on their services. National Express previously allowed concession cardholders to travel for free covering the costs themselves, however, in 2019 they made a business decision to remove this provision and Transport Scotland cannot influence their company operational decisions.

Lost, stolen and damaged cards

If your card is lost, stolen or damaged you should contact your Local Authority to request a replacement. This applies to all cardholders whether your card is issued on grounds of age or disability.

If you change address, phone the number on the back of your card to let your card issuer know. However, if you move to another Local Authority to live you must also let the new authority know.

For any questions please contact the number printed on the back of your card.

Renewing and replacing cards

Contact your Local Authority or Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) Travel Card Unit if:

• your National Entitlement Card is lost, stolen or damaged
• the card did not work when you used the ticket machine
• you want to change your name, address or photo

Your National Entitlement Card may have an expiry date on the front. If you're 60 or over, your new card won’t have an expiry date on it and is valid for life, providing you continue to live in Scotland.

If you have a card on grounds of disability, it will have an expiry date - your local authority may be in touch 4-6 weeks before the card runs out. If you don't hear from them, or need assistance renewing your card, contact them directly. Please note that SPT no longer send out renewal forms to cardholders. You should provide an acceptable proof of eligibility document at least five weeks before the card expires to allow time for this to be processed and a new card to be issued.

If you apply to renew a card for Disabled Concessionary Travel before the expiry date, your previous card will stop working a few days after your new card is processed so please start using your new card as soon as it arrives and destroy your old card.

Concessionary travel contacts

Your local authority can provide further information on the eligibility criteria, offer advice on the application process and how to report lost or stolen cards and vouchers.

• Contact telephone numbers and links to local authority websites

General enquiries

For general information on the concessionary travel scheme for those aged 60 and over and disabled people, or if there's anything you're not sure about, contact:

Concessionary Travel and Smart and Integrated Ticketing, Transport Scotland, George House, 2nd Floor, 36 North Hanover Street, Glasgow, G1 2AD.

Email: [email protected]   

Policy and legislation

Agreements with the bus industry.

Transport Scotland and the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) agreed terms in January 2019 setting budgets and reimbursement rates to operators under the Scotland-wide Free Bus Travel Scheme for Older and Disabled People for 2019-2020.

Building on agreements reached in 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2018, the new agreement ensures bus operators continue to be fairly reimbursed for carrying passengers under the scheme and safeguards free bus travel for older and eligible disabled people living in Scotland.

Similar to the 2013 agreement, changes were required to the legislation underpinning the scheme. Amended legislation detailing changes to the budget and reimbursement rates to operators  came into force on 1 April 2019.

Under 5s Extension to Disabled Companion Concessionary NECs

Transport Scotland has extended the existing Scotland-wide Free Bus Travel Scheme to disabled children under 5.

The Scottish Parliament passed legislation, on 3 March 2021, that extends the existing National Concessionary Travel Scheme (NCTS) to eligible disabled children under the age of five, allowing free bus travel for them and an accompanying companion.

This new entitlement is available from 1 April 2021.

2019 Agreement with the Bus Industry

• Transport Scotland agreement letter to CPT
• CPT agreement letter to Transport Scotland
• The National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Scotland) Amendment Order 2019

Past agreements

2018 agreement with the bus industry.

• The National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Scotland) Amendment Order 2018

2017 Agreement with the Bus Industry

• (Draft) The National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Scotland) Amendment Order 2017

2015 Agreement with the Bus Industry

• CPT agreement response to Transport Scotland
• The National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Amendment) Scotland Order 2015

2013 Agreement with the Bus Industry

• CPT response to Transport Scotland
• The National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Scotland) Amendment Order 2013 from 1 April 2013

Background to the scheme

In 2004, the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) and the Scottish Executive committed to an unrestricted scheme providing free bus travel for people living in Scotland aged 60 and over, as well as eligible disabled people. The process is documented in the agreement letter from the Scottish Executive and the response from the CPT.

• Scottish Executive agreement letter to CPT
• Agreement response from CPT

In 2005, a public consultation exercise followed these initial agreements. The consultation asked questions that covered topics such as proposed eligibility criteria and technical aspects of the scheme.

Following on from the consultation and stakeholder discussions, the Scottish Executive prepared two Scottish Statutory Instruments that underpinned the terms of the scheme. These were approved by the Scottish Parliament and came into force from 1 April 2006.

• SSI 2006/107 - The National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Scotland) Order 2006
• SSI 2006/117 - The National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Eligible Persons and Eligible Services) (Scotland) Order 2006

Changes to legislation for welfare reform

As part of the UK Government’s welfare benefit reforms Disability Living Allowance has been replaced by Personal Independence Payment. Receipt of certain components and rates of Disability Living Allowance are included in the eligibility criteria for the concessionary travel scheme.

To mitigate the effects of these reforms and ensure that eligible disabled people continue to have access to the scheme, the Scottish Government extended the scheme’s eligibility criteria to include recipients of Personal Independence Payment. The changes to the eligibility criteria are set out in legislation which came into force on 8 April 2013 and are described below:

• The extension of the eligibility criteria to include Personal Independence Payment maintains access to concessionary travel for eligible disabled people in Scotland.
• All recipients of Personal Independence Payment (or PIP) are eligible for concessionary travel and all recipients of the Daily Living component of PIP will be eligible to receive a companion card (enabling a companion to travel free with them).
• If when reassessed for PIP you find you are not eligible for that benefit, you are able to continue using your concessionary travel card until its expiry date.

Passenger feedback

Following an Audit Scotland review in 2010, Transport Scotland commissioned research in 2012 to gather feedback and develop an understanding of the views of older and disabled people who are eligible and have applied to access the Scotland-wide Free Bus Travel scheme.

The research project, by Research Resource and ODS Consulting, took place over two years (2013-2014), with telephone surveys of over 3,000 representative NEC holders in each year to collect feedback, alongside a series of focus groups.

Card holders were asked about:

• their use of the NEC in daily travel
• the value they placed on the NEC
• their views on misuse or abuse of the scheme
• the difference the scheme made to their lives

The findings, documented below, are being used to inform and improve the scheme.

• In 2014, 99% of respondents stated that they were either very or fairly satisfied with the scheme overall. Satisfaction with bus travel generally was also high with over 9 in 10 respondents (93%) expressing satisfaction when travelling by bus.
• There was also evidence that the Scheme is encouraging modal shift, with 41% stating that they use the car less. It is also encouraging some cardholders to walk more to and from bus stops.
• 48% of respondents said they now make journeys that they would not previously have made.
• For respondents with a Disabled or Visual Impairment card, the provision of independence was a key benefit. Younger participants in particular, felt that having the card gave them the opportunity to get out and about without relying on parents or carers for support.
• The research confirmed the Scotland-wide Free Bus Travel Scheme is greatly valued and works well for card holders for a number of reasons including financial savings, reducing isolation, engendering a sense of greater independence and increasing confidence in their own ability to travel.
• The research highlighted how cardholders perceive the scheme as having improved their mental and physical well-being.

For full feedback, you can read the reports below.

The findings from the year one research can be found on the Customer Feedback Research - Year One Report and from year two on the Customer Feedback Research - Year Two Report .

Concessionary travel privacy policy

This Privacy Policy outlines how we use, store and share the personal information we hold about you in connection with our national concessionary travel schemes.

Sadiq Khan under pressure over pre-9am travel for older Londoners

Sadiq Khan came under pressure on Monday over his failure to pledge the return of free morning rush hour Tube and bus travel for older Londoners.

The Labour mayor ’s Tory and Green opponents have both said they would reinstate the perk if elected, but Mr Khan argues it is not financially viable.

Free pre-9am weekday travel for 60+ Oyster or Freedom Pass holders was first axed in June 2020, primarily to ensure public transport was kept empty for key workers during the pandemic.

But Mr Khan decided to make the change permanent after being told by Transport for London ( TfL ) that it could generate an additional £40m a year in fares.

The perk has however temporarily returned on Friday mornings as part of the mayor’s off-peak Friday fares trial , which is running for 12 weeks.

The 60+ Oyster is funded by TfL and gives London residents aged over 60 free travel on TfL services.

It is separate to the Older Persons Freedom Pass, which is funded by the capital’s 33 councils and gives free travel to London residents over the State pension age of 66.

The issue was high on the agenda at the first hustings of the London mayoral election , organised by Age UK London and hosted in Canary Wharf.

The event was meant to enable older Londoners to put their questions to the main party candidates, but the only one to attend was the Green Party’s Zoë Garbett.

Mr Khan sent his deputy mayor Joanne McCartney as a substitute, with Conservative candidate Susan Hall sending assembly candidate Nick McLean in her place, and Liberal Democrat candidate Rob Blackie sending assembly member Hina Bokhari. Reform UK candidate Howard Cox, and other candidates, were not invited.

Ms Hall said last week that the removal of free pre-9am travel has been a “cruel penalty” which “unfairly hits older Londoners who need to travel to early morning appointments”.

Referring to negotiations over TfL funding between the mayor and ministers, Ms McCartney said: “The Government tried to take away the 60+ Oyster altogether, and it was only because Sadiq fought that and stepped in, that that is still being retained.

“We would love to reinstate the [free] travel before 9am, but we just aren’t in a position to do so yet. The Government is not giving TfL at the moment more than a one-year funding deal, so they’re having to go, every year, back to Government [for funding].”

Ms McCartney added: “I can’t remember her [Ms Hall] ever standing up to her own Government when they were threatening to take it away.”

The Tory candidate reportedly plans to fund the pledge through savings in the City Hall and TfL budgets, including reductions in staff with salaries of more than £100,000 a year.

Ms Garbett said she didn’t believe older Londoners should have to “bear the brunt” of money lost during the pandemic, and that she would reinstate the perk.

“We think this is about priorities, and we think this is the right one,” she said.

The Lib Dems’ Mr Blackie told the Standard that reinstating the benefit was something his party “would like to do… subject to financial feasibility”.

He added: “Sadiq Khan has left TfL's finances in a mess, which inevitably means cuts to Tube maintenance, and more delays. So we will fix that first.”

Other issues discussed at Age UK’s hustings were the mayor’s expansion of the Ultra low emission zone, and concerns over crime.

There was also anger over dockless hire bikes, with concerns over irresponsible parking and riding on pavements.

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

UK travellers warned over ‘unrest’ in popular holiday spot

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The UK Foreign Office has warned those travelling to Tunisia , in the wake of Iranian military activity against Israel .

UK tourists have been issued with a serious warning against travelling to the North African holiday spot, due to ‘unrest’ facing parts of the country.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) this week updated its travel advice for Tunisia , urging anyone with a trip booked to ‘Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast.’

According to Jamel Bouzid, the tourist office’s deputy director general, up to 425,000 UK arrivals are expected in the country over the coming year, but an increasingly turbulent political climate could disrupt plans.

In a previous statement, the authority explained: ‘Since July 1, the city of Sfax has witnessed several days of civil unrest, including reports of injuries, arrests, and one death, related to heightened tensions between residents and migrants from sub-Saharan Africa.

‘Further disturbances could occur with little or no warning and impact other Black people perceived to be of sub-Saharan African origin. Terrorists are still very likely to try to carry out further attacks in Tunisia, including against UK and Western interests.’

It continued: ‘Security forces remain on a high state of alert in Tunis and other places,’ and warned: ‘You should be vigilant at all times.’

Brits were advised to exercise caution when visiting Tunisia, particularly around religious sites and festivals, crowded areas, government installations, transportation networks, businesses with Western interests, and areas where foreign nationals and tourists are known to gather.

Protests have typically taken place on weekends or around prominent national anniversary dates, but could erupt at other times too.

If you are caught up in a disturbance, the advice states: ‘Avoid all protests, and move away from gathered crowds. Keep up to date with developments through the media and follow the instructions given by the Tunisian authorities as well as your hotel and tour operator, if you have one.’

Where is safe to travel in Tunisia right now?

The FCDO advises against all travel to

• the Chaambi Mountains National Park and the designated military operations zones of Mount Salloum, Mount Sammamma and Mount Mghila
• the militarised zone south of the towns of El Borma and Dhehiba
• within 20km of the rest of the Libya border area north of Dhehiba
• the town of Ben Guerdane and immediate surrounding area

In addition and for security reasons, the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

• within 75km of the Libyan border, including Remada, El Borma and the town of Zarzis
• the governorate of Kasserine, including the town of Sbeitla
• within 10km of the border with Algeria south of Kasserine governorate
• within 30km of the border in El Kef and Jendouba governorates south of the town of Jendouba, including the archaeological site of Chemtou
• areas north and west of the town of Ghardimaou in Jendouba governorate, including El Feidja National Park
• within 10km of Mount Mghila
• Mount Orbata

The FCDO recommends travellers follow and contact them on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram, and sign up for email notifications when advice is updated.

‘Read FCDO advice on how to deal with a crisis overseas,’ it said. ‘Before you travel, check the “Entry requirements” section for Tunisia’s current entry restrictions and requirements.’

The organisation highlighted that these rules ‘may change with little warning,’ so tourists should monitor FCDO channels and stay in contact with travel providers.

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‘It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover,’ it added. 

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