The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme is a national scheme by the
Department for Transport
The Department for Transport (DfT) is a department of His Majesty's Government responsible for the English transport network and a limited number of transport matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that have not been devolved. The d ...
in conjunction with local authorities across
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
.
The scheme extended the provision of free bus travel within individual local authorities to allow travel throughout England from 1 April 2008.
English residents who have attained the state pension age for women, which is gradually being increased from 60 to 66, as well as eligible disabled people, are provided with free off-peak bus travel on weekdays and all day at weekends and
bank holiday
A bank holiday is a national public holiday in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and the Crown Dependencies. The term refers to all public holidays in the United Kingdom, be they set out in statute, declared by royal proclamation or held ...
s. Certain local authorities offer extra benefits for use within their area. Comparable schemes operate within Wales and Scotland.
There are two types of concessionary pass. The Senior pass has a blue panel at the right hand side of the pass. A disabled person's pass has an orange panel.
A Senior pass is valid between 09:30 and 23:00 on weekdays and at any time at weekends and public holidays.
[ An accessibility pass has the same statutory validity, but some authorities allow disabled persons to travel at additional times.][ Both types of pass are valid throughout England only.][ Additionally some authorities allow qualifying holders of an accessibility pass to be accompanied by a companion who is entitled to free travel when and while accompanying the pass holder. This scheme is not nationwide and consequently the companion can only accompany the disabled person within the administrative area of the pass issuer and the area of any other authority that accepts a companion pass from other areas.][ Issuing authorities identify the accessibility pass as a companion pass with a "C+" in the top right corner.]
See also
* Freedom Pass
Freedom Pass is a concessionary travel scheme, which began in 1973, to provide free travel to residents of Greater London, England, who are aged 66 and over (the age of eligibility increased progressively from 60 in 2010 to 66 in 2020) or who ...
* Scottish National Entitlement Card
The Scottish National Entitlement Card (NEC) is a Scotland-wide smart card scheme run by Scottish Local Authorities on behalf of the Scottish Government. It is predominantly operated as a concessionary travel pass, but can also act as Proof of Ag ...
References
External links
Channel 4 News, 16 July 2010: ''Breaking the bus pass promise?''
Fare collection systems in the United Kingdom
Bus transport in the United Kingdom
Old age in the United Kingdom
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