Common National Concessionary Bus Pass Enquiries

Who is eligible for the free nationwide bus pass? 

People of an eligible age and disabled people of any age who qualify. A full list of eligible categories for the scheme can be seen below:

 Concessionary Bus Pass Application Criteria (57kB PDF)

I reach the age of 60 after 6th April 2010. When can I apply for my Oxfordshire bus pass?

The Government has decided that from 6 April 2010, the age of eligibility for concessionary travel for women will be pension age and for men it will be the pensionable age of a woman born on the same day. Visit our Change in Age of Eligibility page for full details.

Where can I travel with the free nationwide bus pass? 

The national scheme allows pass holders free off-peak bus travel on local bus services anywhere within England. The scheme will not include long distance services such as National Express for example. It also excludes travel in Scotland and Wales.

What is the definition of a 'local' bus?

The intention is for the new concession to entitle pass holders to free travel on any off-peak local bus service in England. This will be self-evident in most cases, but if in doubt, pass holders are advised to check with the coach operator first.

What is not included in the scheme? 

Scheduled coach services and long distance services such as National Express for example, are not included in the scheme.

What time can I travel using my new free bus pass? 

In the Oxfordshire County Council area the new scheme offers free travel from 9am to 11pm on weekdays and all day at weekends and on bank holidays. Conditions of use may vary in other areas of the country so you may wish to check other authority areas before planning your journey.

When must I show my bus pass?

You must show your pass to the driver on each journey. The new bus passes will contain a microchip which can store information electronically, this is to enable electronic ticketing and quicker boarding.

My bus pass is about to expire, what do I do?

From January 2010, if your city of Oxford concessionary bus pass is about to expire, for senior citizens we will send your new bus pass in the post to the registered address we hold for you in the city. For some Disabled Card holders you may need to submit up to date evidence of your disability. In most cases we will write to you at least two weeks before your card expires to advise you what to do. If you haven't received your new bus pass by the expiry date, which can be found on your current bus pass, or have a general query about this process please contact us using the details in the 'Contact Us' menu at the top of the page.

What happens if I lose my bus pass?

If you have lost, damaged or had your pass stolen please contact the customer service team as soon as possible by calling 01865 249811. A fee of £10 is payable for replacing lost or damaged passes. This fee is payable before we issue the replacement pass.

If you have had your pass stolen please report this to the police who will provide you with a crime reference number (not a lost property number). If a Police crime reference number is provided we will verify this and issue a replacement card without charge. A fee of £10 will be payable for all other replacements.

Will I have to pay for my new pass? 

No, the passes will be issued free of charge but you may have to pay for a replacement if you lose your pass.

Is there a limit on how many journeys I can make? 

No, the new scheme will allow you to travel off peak on local buses as far and as much as you like.

Is it only applicable to buses?

The new concession applies to bus travel only, but some authorities offer additional services like Dial-a-Ride.

If I visit an area that offers additional services will I be entitled to them?

Probably not. As a general rule, local authorities will only provide additional services for their own residents. Some authorities however may provide them - check with the relevant authority.

I do not have a local concessionary bus pass at the moment, how do I get one to use now? 

Visit our National Concessionary Bus Pass page for full details on how to apply for a bus pass. Alternatively you can pick up an application form from one of our Customer Service Centres located in:

• St. Aldate's Chambers (opposite the Town Hall) 
• 2/3 Bank Court, Templars Square Shopping Centre, Cowley

Where can I find out more information about the new scheme?

Visit the Concessionary Bus Pass Scheme pages on the Department for Transport website for more details. For a series of frequently asked questions and answers, please visit the Directgov website.

Page last reviewed 24 January 2012