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If you live somewhere with decent bus services, getting a free pass can be a useful perk of getting older. A bus pass has the potential to put hundreds of pounds back into your pocket each year, while helping you to stay active and social.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about securing your free bus pass. We'll unravel the eligibility rules and application process across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Consider this your ticket to unlocking free travel and the freedom that comes with it.
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The good news is if you’re in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can get a free bus pass as soon as you turn 60. In England, you’ll need to wait until you reach the state pension age – currently 66, but rising to 67. Although if you live in London, you can pay for a 60+ Oyster card until you reach state pension age, which still offers great value if you use public transport.
If you’re younger, you may be eligible for a disabled person’s bus pass in England. For example if you’re blind or partially sighted, profoundly or severely deaf, or if you’re unable to get a driver’s licence for medical reasons. Find out how to apply for a disabled person’s bus pass through your local council.
In Scotland, you can apply for a disabled bus pass, and you can also get free travel for a companion if you qualify. Wales has the Disabled Person’s Concessionary Travel Card. Northern Ireland has the Registered Blind SmartPass or the Half Fare SmartPass for those receiving the standard or enhanced mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
The free bus pass is a popular benefit. There were 8.8 million older and disabled concessionary passes in England in the year to the end of March 2024 (up 1% on the previous year), with 604 million concessionary bus journeys made in England across the year (up 6% on the previous year).
In most cases, you can apply through your local council. The official title for free travel in England is the English National Concessionary Travel scheme.
The scheme has different names depending on where you live. For example, Kent has My Bus Pass, Norfolk refers to it as an Age-related travel pass and Plymouth calls it a Concessionary Bus Pass.
Go to your local council website and search for ‘bus pass’. If you don’t know which local authority your address falls under, the UK Government website has a tool where you can enter your postcode and find out. To apply for free transport in London, go through TfL.
In Scotland, you apply through Transport Scotland, for Wales it’s through Transport for Wales and for Northern Ireland you can find details of how to apply at NI Direct.
You’ll need a passport-style photo for ID and a document to prove how old you are and where you live.
Documents to verify your age could include the following, but will vary by local council, so do check first:
Proof of address can typically include:
Your local authority’s website should also have a list of libraries where you can get help to apply for your bus pass. Remember to take your ID and a photo along with you.
The rules on validity vary. Some councils in England say passes are valid for up to five years, but others simply say they’ll renew your pass automatically. Check your council’s website to see the terms for your area.
Some local authorities in England will send you a reminder when you need to renew. If it’s supposed to be automatic and you’ve not heard anything three weeks before renewal, it’s a good idea to get in contact. Some councils allow you to renew up to two or three months before the expiry date.
If you move to a different county and your local authority changes, you’ll need to apply for an updated bus pass at your new home.
The good news is you can use your pass for local services in other parts of the country – for instance, in England if it carries the red rose symbol. In England, the free bus pass is generally only accepted during off-peak times, after 0930 on weekday mornings until 2300, or any time on weekends or bank holidays.
In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland you get free travel all day, not just off-peak.
If you’re visiting London, you’ll get free travel on the wide network of buses there. Use your pass from 9am, Monday to Friday and any time on weekends and bank holidays – and wheelchair and mobility scooter users travel free too.
When you’re boarding a London bus, remember to touch in on the yellow circle. Sometimes the driver might ask to see the photo on your pass.
Free bus passes can’t be used across borders, such as from England into Wales. There are limited exceptions to this rule on some cross-border bus routes.
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If you lose your bus pass, contact the local authority that issued it to you to ask for a replacement. You’ll usually be charged a small fee for a replacement.
If your bus pass is stolen, again you should contact the local authority that issued it to you. If you are able to provide a crime reference number for the theft, you may not be charged for a replacement. Otherwise you may need to pay a replacement fee.
If you live in one of the London boroughs, the Older Person’s Freedom Pass offers free travel on buses, trams, Tubes, the DLR, London Overground and the Elizabeth Line. You can travel any time except 4:30-9am on weekdays (4:30-9:30am for most National Rail services in London). The Disabled Person’s Freedom Pass is valid any time on TfL services.
Check whether you’re eligible on the Freedom Pass website. It’s also valid on most other buses in England.
If you’ve turned 60 but not yet reached state pension age, you could buy a 60+ Oyster card. This costs £35. You have to renew it each year and provide proof of address, which costs £18. It offers similar discounts to the Freedom Pass.
When you need to travel further afield, the Senior Coachcard is available for over-60s. It costs £15 a year (plus £3 postage) and gives you a third off Standard and Fully Flexible coach fares on National Express.
Midweek bargains are also available, with £15 day returns on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (excluding airports) when you book three days in advance.
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