When Can You Get a Free Bus Pass?

Nick Pensions & Benefits, Saving Money travel, benefits 2 Comments

For many older people the free bus pass (officially known as the older person’s bus pass) is a valuable concession. It helps them get about and maintain their independence without eating into their often limited income.

Holders typically get free bus travel within their local authority area between 9.30 am and 11 pm on weekdays and all day at weekends.

The rules for when you qualify for a free bus pass vary according to where in the UK you live. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, it’s straightforward. You qualify once you reach your 60th birthday.

Those living in England are not as fortunate. In this case, you won’t qualify until you reach the current state pension age. This is currently 66 for both men and women. The state pension age will start to increase again from 6 May 2026, and will reach 67 by 6 March 2028.

Once you have reached the qualifying age in whichever country of the UK you live, you can apply via the government’s Apply for an Older Person’s Bus Pass page. You will see a box on this page in which to enter your postcode. Clicking through this should take you to the website for your local authority (though you may have to navigate to the page for travel concessions from there). You can then apply online for your bus pass. Requirements can vary from one local authority to another, but in general you will be required to upload a passport-style photo, proof of identity, and proof of residency in the area concerned (e.g. a council tax bill). For info about how to renew your bus pass online, please click here.

• If you don’t want to apply online, most authorities also offer an option to apply in person, e.g. at a public library. Your local authority website should have more information about this.

Some local authorities have their own schemes and concessions for older (and/or disabled) people. Again, your local authority website should tell you if there are any special concessions for older people in your area, or you can ask at your local library.

In London, once you reach the female state pension age you can apply for an Older Person’s Freedom Pass. This entitles you to 24-hour free travel across Transport for London’s networks (except for some river boats where travel is half price). You can check your eligibility for a Freedom Pass and apply here.

Cards and Discounts

Even if you don’t yet qualify for a free bus pass, there may be other ways you can get free or discounted travel.

If you live in London and are 60 or over, you can apply for a 60+ Oyster card. This provides free travel on the London Underground, Overground, trams and buses, as well as some TfL Rail and National Rail services, but you can’t use it outside London. The card has a one-off £20 administration fee. You can apply online from two weeks before your 60th birthday. For more information about the application process see the TfL website.

Also once you are 60 or over, you can apply for a Senior Railcard. This currently costs £30 a year and gets you a third off most rail journeys, local and national. You can get more information and apply here.

Or if you’re 60 or over and make regular use of National Express coaches, you can buy a Senior Coachcard which costs £12.50 (plus 2.50 p&p) and offers a third off travel throughout the year. With this card you can also buy a £15 day-return on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to anywhere in the UK (excluding airports) as long as you book three days in advance. You can apply for a Senior Coachcard via the National Express website.

As always, if you have any comments or questions about this post, please leave them below. Happy travels!