Free bus passes: the concessionary pass in England, Scotland and Wales
Older and disabled people travel free on local buses across England, Scotland and Wales with a concessionary pass. Who qualifies, when it works and how to apply, in one place.
England
The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme gives free off-peak travel on local buses anywhere in England: from 9:30am to 11pm Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on bank holidays. You qualify when you reach State Pension age (currently 66), or at any age with an eligible disability. Some councils add more: earlier mornings, or a companion's travel, so it's worth reading your own council's page.
- Apply for an older person's bus pass (gov.uk): enter your postcode and it takes you to your council's form.
- Apply for a disabled person's bus pass (gov.uk)
Wales
Wales is more generous: from age 60, or with an eligible disability, you travel free on local buses at any time of day, anywhere in Wales. The card comes from Transport for Wales, and you can apply online.
Scotland
Scotland's National Entitlement Card gives free travel on local buses at any time of day, anywhere in Scotland, and on most Scottish long-distance coaches. It's for anyone aged 60 or over and eligible disabled people; separately, everyone aged 5 to 21 travels free with the Young Persons' card. Apply through your council, or online.
London
London has its own two: the 60+ London Oyster photocard (free travel on TfL buses, Tube, trams and most trains in London from age 60), and the Freedom Pass for older and disabled Londoners, which also works as an English bus pass outside London.
Using it
Show the pass to the driver as you board, or touch it on the reader. It works on any local bus service in the right country, whoever runs the bus, including Park & Ride in most cities. Find your buses by town, or plan a journey, and the pass takes care of the fare.
Questions
- Who qualifies for a free bus pass?
- In England: anyone of State Pension age (currently 66), and people with an eligible disability, whatever their age. In Wales and Scotland: anyone aged 60 or over, and eligible disabled people; Scotland also gives everyone under 22 free bus travel.
- When can I use my bus pass in England?
- Off-peak: from 9:30am to 11pm on weekdays, and all day at weekends and on bank holidays. Some councils are more generous locally, so check yours.
- When can I use my bus pass in Wales?
- At any time of day, on any local bus in Wales.
- When can I use my bus pass in Scotland?
- At any time of day, on any local bus in Scotland, and on most of its long-distance coaches too.
- How do I apply for a bus pass?
- In England, through your local council: gov.uk finds the right one from your postcode. In Wales, through Transport for Wales (tfw.wales). In Scotland, through your council, or online at getyournec.scot. In London, apply to TfL for a 60+ London Oyster photocard, or to your borough for a Freedom Pass.
- Can I use an English bus pass in Wales or Scotland?
- No: an English pass works on local buses anywhere in England, a Welsh pass anywhere in Wales and a Scottish pass anywhere in Scotland, but none works across the border (a few cross-border bus routes are the exception; the driver can advise).
- Does a bus pass work on trains or trams?
- Not usually: it covers local buses. Some areas add extras, like trams in Greater Manchester or Blackpool for local pass holders, so it's worth checking what your council includes.
From gov.uk, Transport for Wales and Transport for London. Schemes change at their edges (what time passes start, local extras): your council's page is the final word.