Full list of those eligible for one of two types of bus passes that grants free travel
News Fiona Callingham and Charlotte Fisher 10:46, 06 Apr 2025
In the UK there a number of free bus passes available to people who would otherwise find it difficult to get around. Depending on your age and circumstances you may be eligible for the free travel pass.
By issuing free bus passes, councils and the government aim to help those who might otherwise find it difficult to get around, without having to worry about the cost. There are two types of free bus passes in the UK, which can be used on local buses, the Express reports.
There is an older person’s bus pass and a disabled person’s bus pass. Below we have outlined who qualifies for these schemes and how you can apply.
Older person's bus pass
In England you can get an older person’s bus pass when you reach State Pension age, which is 66. However, in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, you can apply for this pass once you reach 60.
If you live in London, you can apply for a 60+ London Oyster photocard on the TFL website, which will get you free bus travel if you are over the age of 60 and also includes free travel on trains and other public transport.
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Age UK advises that other areas may also offer travel concessions for people who are over 60. “It's a good idea to check with your local council to see what help is available,” the charity says.
For more information on how to apply for the older person’s bus pass visit gov.uk/apply-for-elderly-person-bus-pass.
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Disabled person's bus pass
In England there is no central provider of the disabled person's bus pass. To find out if you're eligible and how to apply, you need to get in touch with your local council.
You can find your local council and apply for a disabled person's bus pass on GOV.UK. The criteria for a disabled person’s bus pass in England is generally if you are five years old or over and you:
- Are severely sight impaired (blind) or sight impaired (partially sighted)
- Are profoundly or severely deaf
- Are without speech
- Have a disability, or injury, which has a substantial and long-term effect on your ability to walk
- Have no arms or have long-term loss of the use of both arms
- Have a learning disability, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which started before adulthood and includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning
- Would be refused a licence to drive a motor vehicle, should an application be made under Part three of the Road Transport Act 1988, under section 92 of the Act (physical fitness), otherwise than on the grounds of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol.
Your condition will need to be permanent or last at least 12 months.
If you live in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland the way to apply is slightly different. You can find out more at gov.uk/apply-for-disabled-bus-pass.
Despite recent benefit changes to the PIP eligibility criteria and scoring system, people on certain disability benefits, including Personal Independence Payment, may be entitled to a free bus pass even if they lose their welfare claim.
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Travel schemes that depend on disability benefit eligibility may still give people who lose their benefit claim access to free travel under new DWP rules. For more information click here.
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