Concessionary Travel
Scotland-wide Free Bus Travel Scheme
The Scotland-wide Free Bus Travel Scheme for older and disabled people is operated by Transport Scotland.
Applicants will be issued with a National Entitlement Card which allows free bus travel throughout Scotland on virtually all scheduled local bus services and long distance coach services which are available to the general public. For new applicants, details of where to obtain application forms and a summary of eligibility criteria are given below. Journeys can be made at any time, there are no restrictions. In addition, the Entitlement Card gives free bus travel from the Scottish Borders to Berwick-upon-Tweed and from Dumfries & Galloway to Carlisle. The Scottish National Entitlement Card is not valid for travel elsewhere in England, similarly the English National Bus Pass is not valid in Scotland.
Local Rail Travel Arrangements
Your Entitlement Card will also allow you cheaper fares on First ScotRail trains locally within Angus and to/from Dundee. Please note that any companions will have to pay the full fare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to an Entitlement Card?
Over 60's - anyone aged 60 years of age or over who is permanently resident in Scotland.
Disabled Persons - must be permanently resident in Scotland, be at least 5 years of age and fall into one of the following categories:
- You receive the Disability Living Allowance under the higher rate of mobility or higher/middle rate of care. Include a DBD384 letter from the Department of Work and Pensions, dated within the last year, in your application.
- You receive the standard or enhanced rate of Personal Independence Payment. Include the award letter (dated within the last year) from the Department of Work and pensions in your application.
- You receive Attendance Allowance. Include a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions, dated within the last year, in your application.
- You live in a care or residential home or hospital. Include a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions, dated within the last year, in your application.
- You are a Blue Badge holder. Take your Blue Badge, latest V11 vehicle licensing reminder from DVLA or DLA404 from the Department of Work and Pensions when you apply for your card.
- You are profoundly or severely deaf. Take along a letter from your Audiologist, Hospital Consultant or Registered Society for the Deaf when you apply. The letter must show that you have bilateral hearing loss greater than or equal to 70dBHLs averaged over 1, 2 and 4KHz. If you have been deaf since birth, a letter from your GP is fine too.
- You have a visual impairment. Bring your registration certificate that confirms you are blind or partially sighted when you apply for your card. A letter from the RNIB or other registered society is also acceptable.
- You have been told not to drive based on medical grounds. Take the DVLA letter with reference D206, D235, D220 or NS57 as evidence when you apply. If you have epilepsy the NCT003 certificate is acceptable too. Collect the certificate from the Council and ask your Hospital Consultant, GP or Epilepsy Specialist Nurse to sign.
- You have a mental illness, learning difficulty or personality disorder that is recognised under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 and has lasted for more than a year. You must need to travel to health or social care appointments as part of treatment activities, care or a rehabilitation programme. Your ability to travel must also be impaired. Collect an NCT002 certificate from the Council and ask one of the qualified medical professionals listed on the form to complete it.
- You have a terminal illness. Take your award notice that shows you receive higher or middle rate of Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance when you apply. A DS1500 report, hospice admittance letter or confirmation that you are registered on a Scottish hospice register is also acceptable.
- You have a progressive degenerative condition. Conditions such as Parkinson's Disease that impede your mobility entitle you to free bus travel. Ask your hospital consultant to provide a letter confirming that your condition is considered 'progressive degenerative' and that it severely impedes your mobility and ability to carry out day to day activities. This wording should appear on any documentary evidence.
- You have lost one or more limbs. If you have lost one or both legs, both arms or an arm and a leg you are entitled to free bus travel. Request a letter from your prosthetic clinic/centre, physiotherapist or rehabilitation centre for your application.
- You are an injured veteran with mobility problems. You will qualify if you have received a lump sum benefit under the Armed Forces and Compensation Scheme within tariff levels 1 - 8 (inclusive) and the Secretary of State certifies that you have a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking. You will need to produce a certification letter from the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency.
- You will also qualify under the same criteria if your injuries do not hinder your mobility but the injury can be cross referenced to the descriptors within the AFCS Injuries Table as detailed.
- If you receive a War Pensioner Mobility Supplement you are also eligible. Please provide a letter from the Veterans Agency or Ministry of Defence in your application.
Will I be eligible to a Companion Travel Card?
Your companion is entitled to travel for free if you meet one of the following criteria:
- You receive the higher or middle rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance
- You receive the standard or enhanced rate of daily living component of Personal Independence Payment
- You receive Attendance Allowance
- You are registered blind
- You live in a care or residential home and receive the higher or middle rate of the care component Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance.
Where do I get an application form for the new Entitlement Card?
Application forms for those 60 years of age or over (LS304) are available in all local Angus Council ACCESS Offices and local Post Offices.
Disabled and Companion application forms (NCT001) are from Angus Council ACCESS Offices.
Please refer to the notes on pages 1 and 2 of your application form, as these will give you the information you need to help you to fill in your form correctly.
A separate concessionary travel scheme is available for 16-25 year olds - see Young Persons' Concessionary Travel Scheme.
Who do I contact to report suspected fraud or abuse of the concessionary travel scheme?
Telephone the 24-hour freephone hotline on 0800 328 5690 to report any suspected fraud relating to bus operators and any alleged abuse in respect of cardholders either misusing their national entitlement card or falsely obtaining a NEC for free bus travel.
Who do I contact for further information?
Contact us using the Online Enquiries & Requests form or via ACCESSLine on 08452 777 778, or visit your local ACCESS office.
Service Page: concessionarytravel.htm
Service Details Last Reviewed : 13 May 2013
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