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Concessionary Fares

A National Bus Concession (Bus Pass) entitles the holder to free travel on a registered bus service anywhere in England. 

• Are you eligible? 
• How can you apply? 
• What proof will be required? 
• Renewal of concession
• Where can I use my Concession? 

Are you eligible?

Senior Citizens

Change in age eligibility for national bus pass

The government has announced that from 6 April 2010 it is changing the criteria by which people qualify for a bus pass on the grounds of age.

From 6 April 2010, the age of eligibility for concessionary travel for both sexes will be the pension age for women.

The state pension age for women is rising by five years over a period of ten years. The age of eligibility will rise in stages between 2010 and 2020. The earliest age for men and women to get bus passes will therefore rise gradually, from 60 on 5 April 2010 to 65 on 5 April 2020. The government decided that this would be the fairest method, rather than introduce a one-off rise which would leave those currently close to retirement age facing a full five-year delay.

The age of eligibility for the state pension for women is scheduled to rise by two months every month. This means the earliest date on which you can get your bus pass will depend on which month you were born in and will not fall on your birthday. The table below sets out when those approaching the age of 60 will become eligible for their concessionary bus pass.

There is also a ready ready reckoner tool on the DirectGov website which enables people affected by the pension age changes to see at what age they become eligible for their state pension and associated benefits.

For the purposes of working out the date of eligibility for the bus pass using this tool, you should enter your gender as female. The date of state pension age calculated will be the date on which you become eligible for the concessionary bus pass.

Therefore, if you are of pension age, as described above, and live in the Cotswold District Council area, you are eligible to claim a Free National Bus Concession (Bus Pass) or, if you are disabled, £16.00 worth of Travel Tokens.

Disabled persons

You can apply regardless of age, if you:

1. are blind or partially sighted
2. are profoundly or severely deaf
3. are without speech
4. have a disability, or suffer from an injury which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to walk
5. do not have the use of both arms, or have long term loss of the use of both arms
6. have a learning disability, i.e. a state of arrested, or incomplete, development of intelligence and social functioning
7. have had your driving license refused or revoked (or it would be refused if you applied) on medical or physical fitness grounds.   If you have a licence refused or revoked, the letter of refusal/revocation or other proof will be required.

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How can you apply?

You will need to complete a Concessionary Fares Application Form [.pdf 119Kb] and send it with the required proof to:

Benefits Section, Cotswold District Council, Trinity Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire. GL7 1PX

Or telephone our help line (01285) 623031 if you have any queries.

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What proof will be required?

National Bus Concession (Bus Pass)

Senior citizens

Proof of age will be required (e.g. birth certificate or medical card etc, photocopies are acceptable)

Disabled persons

If you are in categories a, b, c, d, e or f above please supply proof of disability, this can be:

registration with Gloucestershire County Council, or
higher Disability Living Allowance, or
War Pensioner’s Mobility allowance, or

a letter from a qualified medical examiner (e.g. an optometrist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist), stating that you qualify under one of the medical criteria above.

If you are applying under category g above, then you will need to supply proof that the DVLC has refused you a driving licence on the grounds of medical fitness, or a letter from a qualified medical examiner.

Travel Tokens

Senior citizens

Proof of age will be required (e.g. birth certificate or medical card etc, photocopies are acceptable)

Disabled persons

If you are in categories a, b, c, d, e or f above please supply proof of disability, this can be:

registration with Gloucestershire County Council, (for example, you have a Blue Badge), or
Disability Living Allowance, or Attendance Allowance, or
War Pensioner’s Mobility allowance, or

a letter from a qualified medical examiner (e.g. an optometrist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist), stating that you qualify under one of the medical criteria above.

If you are applying under category g above, then you will need to supply proof that the DVLC has refused you a driving licence on the grounds of medical fitness, or a letter from a qualified medical examiner.

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Renewal of concession

The National Bus Concession passes are valid until 31 March 2013, and you will be contacted before then.

Tokens are issued annually and you will be contacted before the end on the year.

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Where can I use my Concession?

Free National Bus Concession

On any public services bus within England.

The National Bus Concession can be used in the Cotswold District Council area at any time of the day; however, there may be some restrictions on the type of ticket that can be purchased prior to 9.30 am. 

In other parts of Gloucestershire the bus concession can be used between 9.00 am and 11.00 pm.

Elsewhere in England it can be used between 9.30 am and 11.00 pm Mondays to Fridays and all day weekends and Bank Holidays.

If in doubt, always check with the transport operator before the journey commences.   

National Bus Concession Terms and Conditions 

See below for Explanatory Notes for Operators

Travel Tokens (issued to Disabled Persons only)

Travel Tokens are valued at £0.40 each.

These can be used on Buses, Trains, Taxis and Community Transport in the local area.

Important Notice regarding Travel Tokens and Stagecoach Buses

From April 2007 Stagecoach West has not accepted the Travel Tokens issued by this Council. .

Leaflet: England's 2008 bus concession explained National Bus Concession Terms and Conditions

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