If you’ve reached a certain age or have a disability, you may be entitled to a pass enabling you to travel for free or at a reduced rate on buses.
The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme gives those who are eligible taking bus transport in England free off-peak travel and has been in place since 2007.
In 2018, the Government announced it would be amending the legislation so the scheme was no longer reviewed after five years, and instead, keeps going on.
This means plenty of people with a medical condition or who are over a certain age can get around easier by taking a bus. But, how do I apply for a bus pass? Here’s what we know.
There are two main types of bus pass available in England. These are an older person’s pass and a disabled person’s pass.
To get an older person’s pass in England, you must have reached State Pension age. This is currently set at 66 years old.
Birmingham-based residents can get a free older person’s bus pass from the Transport for West Midlands once they’ve fulfilled the aforementioned criteria. If you don’t live in Birmingham but you do in one of the other places in the West Midlands, such as Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall or Wolverhampton, you can still get an older person’s bus pass for the area. To make an application, you can fill out the internet form here or download an application form here .
Those who are successful will not only get free off-peak travel, but you will also be able to travel at no cost on trains in the Blue Zone, which covers the centre of Birmingham, between 9.30am and 11.59pm, and on local trams from 9.30am until the end of service.
A discounted fee of £1 is available for people who need to travel before 9.30am, but they can only get this reduced rate on National Express West Midlands buses.
If you regularly travel before 9.30am, you can get an add-on to your pass or use your pass as a pay-as-you-go card. If you choose to use it as a pay-as-you-go card, it can also be used for vehicle parking. But you can only make this change by registering your card online or visiting the Wolverhampton central bus station office.
If you live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can get a free older person’s bus pass at the age of 60. There are slightly different rules for London. If you’re aged 60 or over and live in the capital, you can get a free Oyster Card which entitles you to travel on transport such as the Tube and bus network, but only in London boroughs. If you live in England but not in the West Midlands, contact your local council to find out how to claim your older person’s bus pass.
If you have a disability you may be able to get a disabled person’s bus pass.
To be eligible for one of these from the West Midlands Combined Authority you must be of fare-paying age and have a disability as categorised by the Transport Act. These are:
In addition to the above, the condition must affect you for longer than 12 months, you must be aged 5 or over and be living in Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall or Wolverhampton.
If you qualify, you can travel for free on any bus in England between 9.30am and 11pm on Monday to Friday, and all day during weekends and on bank holidays.
You will also be able to ride on trains in the Blue Zone, which covers the centre of Birmingham, between 9.30am and 11.59pm, and on local trams from 9.30am until the end of service.
You can apply for your disabled person’s bus pass in the West Midlands by visiting this link . If you live elsewhere, you’ll have to contact your local council.
