Free bus pass for concessionary card holders

Have you reached state pension age or do you have a certain disability? You may be eligible for a concessionary bus pass from your local council. This is a free bus pass that allows you to travel on most Stagecoach buses for free in England, Scotland and Wales. Not everyone is eligible for a concessionary or disability bus pass. We recommend you read the information on this page and consult your local council to make sure you can apply for one. 

How to start the bus pass application in your location

How you apply for a concessionary bus pass and how you use it depends on where you live. If you live in England this free bus pass application can be completed online by following the link in the England location section below. You can also apply for your bus pass by contacting your local council if you live in England, Scotland or Wales. Make sure you have all the documents required to prove your eligibility.

How to use your pass on the bus

Once you've received your concessionary bus pass, you can start using it straight away. Just hold it against the reader on the ticket machine by the driver. Wait for the green light or listen for a beep - then remove your pass, take your receipt, and find a seat. A pass doesn't give you any priority over other passengers. If you need extra help you may also be eligible for a journey assistance card.

What to do if you lose your concessionary bus pass?

Unfortunately, we’re not able to give you free travel if you don’t have your concessionary or disability bus pass with you. If you lose your pass, you’ll need to contact the local council that issued it to you for a replacement. Once you have your replacement concessionary bus pass, you can enjoy free bus travel again.

How do I renew my bus pass?

If you have a concessionary or disability bus pass with Stagecoach, you don't need to renew it. Once you have proven your eligibility for your free bus pass, you can use it for as long as you wish. However, if you lose it, you can get a new one either by applying online again (England only) or contacting your local council.

When can I get a free bus pass?

The age at which you can get a free bus pass is different depending on where you live. If you live in Scotland or Wales, you can get a concessionary bus pass when you turn 60 years old. If you live in London, you can also enjoy free bus travel when you turn 60, but only on buses in London. Those who live in England and are travelling outside of London need to wait until they turn 68 years old before they're eligible for a free bus pass. There is no age requirement for a disability bus pass. However, you must have the supporting documents to prove your eligibility.


 

I live in England

In England, the concessionary bus pass is called the older person's bus pass or the disabled person's pass.

Apply for your pass 

You can apply for a pass by contacting your local council, or you can apply online:

Apply online for an older person’s bus pass.

Apply online for a disabled person’s bus pass .

When you can use your pass

Normally, you can travel after 09:30 until 23:00 on weekdays and all day at weekends and bank holidays. Some local councils have different rules on when you can use your pass.

Where you can use your pass

You can travel for free anywhere in England, including London on local bus services.

It’s not valid for journeys within Scotland or Wales. 

Free travel is not available on tourist buses or coach services like megabus.com and National Express.

I live in Wales

In Wales, the pass is called a concessionary travel pass or cerdyn teithio rhatach.     

Apply for your pass

You can apply for a concessionary travel pass by contacting your local council.  

When you can use your pass

Your pass can be used at any time, every day of the week. There are no peak-time restrictions.

Where bus services are limited, you can use your pass on certain train lines.      

Where you can use your pass

You can travel for free on all local bus services anywhere in Wales. You can also use it on some journeys across the border into England like on routes 39 and X4 to Hereford.

The pass also entitles you to a reduced fare on the Greyhound service between Swansea and Cardiff.

I live in Scotland

The concessionary bus pass in Scotland is called the National Entitlement Card.

Apply for your National Entitlement Card

If you're 60 or over, you can get an application form from your local Post Office or from a Strathclyde Partnership of Transport (SPT) travel centre.

If you have a disability, you can get an application form from your local council.

When you can use your National Entitlement Card

Your pass can be used at any time, every day of the week. There are no peak-time restrictions, however concession passes are not valid on some specific night buses where a set fare is applicable.

Where you can use your National Entitlement Card

You can travel for free on all local bus and coach services anywhere in Scotland.

Your National Entitlement Card is valid on services to and from Carlisle and on services to and from Berwick-upon-Tweed from anywhere in Scotland. It's not valid for travel within these towns.

It's not valid for all other journeys in England, or Wales.