UK concessionary bus travel provides free travel for eligible pensioners and disabled people, primarily through the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme, which allows use of a bus pass on local buses nationwide during off-peak hours. Eligibility is for those of state pension age or with an eligible disability, though local authorities can offer discretionary enhancements like earlier travel times or companions for disabled passholders. Scotland and Wales have separate, similar schemes, while London has its own specific rules for residents aged 60 and over.
England: You are eligible for a bus pass when you reach the state pension age. You can use the pass on local buses anywhere in England from 9:30 AM to 11:00 PM on weekdays and at any time on weekends and public holidays.
Scotland: You can travel for free on registered local and long-distance bus services at any time of day.
Wales: You can get a bus pass when you reach the age of 60.
London: You can travel free on buses and the London Underground when you are 60, but only within London.
Schoolchildren typically do not receive a national concessionary bus pass for general use. Instead, they may be eligible for a school travel pass which is a separate entitlement, usually based on distance from school and financial circumstances.
A school travel pass is a specific pass to get to and from school and isn't the same as the concessionary bus pass for pensioners and disabled people.
The UK operates concessionary train fares, primarily through
Railcards, which offer discounts on national rail services for eligible people, and local council-run schemes. These can include discounts for seniors, disabled people, young people, and veterans, though many local schemes focus on bus passes that can sometimes be used for train travel in specific areas.
