60+ or disabled

If you are over 60 or have a disability, you could be eligible for free bus travel to get around Scotland and your local area. You can access this via the National Entitlement Card, your pass to free bus travel in Scotland.

The scheme provides free travel on registered local and long-distance bus services throughout Scotland, at any time of day for any number of journeys. Only some services premium-fare services, tours/excursions and group hire services are excluded.

The National Entitlement Card scheme also allows for free travel for companions where required by eligible disabled people of any age (including children under 5).

Companions can make travel much easier, helping you to get on and off buses, carrying shopping and communicating with the driver. You can stay free and mobile, while making full use of your NEC.

The key objectives of the concessionary travel scheme are to:

• allow older and disabled people, improved access to services, facilities and social networks, promoting social inclusion
• improve health by promoting a more active lifestyle for the elderly and disabled
• remove the restrictions of the previous local off-peak concessionary fare scheme which was limited in offering access to facilities
• promote a modal shift from private cars to public transport
• maintain a viable position for bus operators with a standard reimbursement rate
• provide opportunities for improvements to public transport, such as assisting development of multi-operator ticketing and the use of electronic ticket machine technology
• facilitate a more effective administration of the system by adopting a standard reimbursement rate and shifting operational responsibility from local authorities to Transport Scotland
• provide a stimulus to the introduction of smart ticketing

Over 60s

You are eligible for free bus travel, if:

• you're aged 60 or older
• you live in Scotland

Disabled people

You are eligible for free bus travel if you live in Scotland and meet one of the criteria below.

Department for Work and Pensions and Social Security Scotland benefits

You are eligible for free bus travel if you receive one of the following:

• Attendance Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• War Pension Constant Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance - higher rate of the mobility component, or higher or middle rate of the care component
• Adult Disability Payment
• Child Disability Payment – higher rate of the mobility component, or higher or middle rate of the care component
• Pension Age Disability Payment

When you apply you will need to provide a copy your benefit award letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or Social Security Scotland which confirms your eligibility. The letter must be dated within the last 18 months and confirm the length of benefit entitlement. For details on getting your award letter, please contact DWP or Social Security Scotland. 

Residing in a care home or hospital

You are eligible for free bus travel if you live in a care/residential home or hospital and qualify for one of the following:

• Attendance Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• War Pension Constant Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance - higher rate of the mobility component, or higher or middle rate of the care component
• Adult Disability Payment
• Child Disability Payment – higher rate of the mobility component, or higher or middle rate of the care component
• Pension Age Disability Payment

In many cases a DWP or Social Security Scotland benefit may be suspended whilst someone is in care or hospital. In that case, you can provide a letter from the hospital/care home confirming that you are eligible for one of the above benefits, you live there, and receive 24 hour care.

Blue badge holder

Blue Badge holders are eligible for free bus travel. You should provide a copy or picture of both sides of your Blue Badge, your latest V11 vehicle licensing reminder from DVLA, or DLA404 from DWP when you apply for your card. Please note that a valid Blue Badge issued outside Scotland, in the rest of the UK or by the authorities of an EU member state will be acceptable.

Profoundly or severely deaf

If you are profoundly or severely deaf you are eligible for free bus travel. Take along a recent 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 confirming this is also acceptable.

Sight impairment

If you have a sight impairment you are eligible for free bus travel. 

If you are aged 16 and over you will need to provide a copy of the Certificate of Vision (CVI) Scotland form (which replaced the previous BP1 form).

If you are aged under 16 you should provide a letter from a Visual Impairment Network for Children and Young People (VINCYP) team member. You can also provide a letter from a health professional such as an ophthalmologist or paediatrician which states that you meet the criteria for visual impairment as defined by VINCYP. In addition, parents or carers of children and young people under 16 with a visual impairment may be able to use letters from other registered societies or appropriate voluntary sector organisations supporting people with sight loss.

Told not to drive on medical grounds

If you have been told not to drive based on medical grounds you are eligible for free bus travel. Take the DVLA confirmation letter as evidence when you apply showing that your licence has been revoked or your application has been refused on medical grounds.

If you have epilepsy and been told not to drive because you have had a seizure in the last 12 months, you should use the NCT003 certificate. The NCT003 certificate is only valid where the applicant is aged 16 and over (the earliest date they can apply for a provisional licence). You should collect the certificate from your council and ask your Hospital Consultant, GP or Epilepsy Specialist Nurse to sign it.

For other medical conditions where you have been told you would not be allowed to drive and if you were to apply for a licence, would be refused, you may be able to provide a recent letter from your GP or Hospital Consultant depending on your circumstances to confirm this. For further information, please check with your council.

Mental health condition

If you have a mental health condition that is recognised under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 and has lasted for more than a year you are eligible for free bus travel. 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. Please contact your council for advice on how and where to apply using the NCT002 form.

Learning disability

If you have a learning disability and you need to travel to see a Support Worker or get to appointments or activities you are eligible for free bus travel. Please contact your council for advice on how and where to apply using the NCT002a form.

Read our guide on how to apply.

Terminal illness

If you have a terminal illness you are eligible for free bus travel.

When you apply, take your award notice that shows you receive one of the following:

• Attendance Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• Disability Living Allowance - the higher rate of the mobility component, or the higher or middle rate of the care component
• Adult Disability Payment
• Child Disability Payment - the higher rate of the mobility component, or the higher or middle rate of the care component
• Pension Age Disability Payment

A DS1500 report (the BASRiS form will replace this for Scotland’s new forms of Disability Assistance), hospice admittance letter or confirmation that you are registered on a Scottish hospice register is also acceptable.

Progressive degenerative condition

If you have a progressive degenerative condition, such as Parkinson's Disease, that severely impedes your mobility you may be eligible for free bus travel.

Ask your hospital consultant or other specialist medical professional who is responsible for providing any treatment and support (such as your Specialist Nurse), to provide a letter confirming that your diagnosed health condition is considered ‘progressive degenerative' and that it ‘severely impedes your mobility and ability to carry out day to day activities’. Any letter from a medical professional must clearly confirm these qualifying criteria otherwise it cannot be accepted.

Lost one or more limbs

If you have lost one or both legs, both arms or an arm and a leg you are eligible for free bus travel. You should request a letter from your prosthetic clinic/centre, physiotherapist or rehabilitation centre for your application.

War Pensioner Mobility Supplement

If you receive a War Pensioner Mobility Supplement you are eligible for free bus travel. Please provide a letter from Veterans UK or Ministry of Defence confirming receipt of this benefit in your application.

Injured veteran

If you are an injured veteran with mobility problems you are eligible for free bus travel. You should provide a Veterans UK or Ministry of Defence letter certifying award of lump sum payment within Tariff levels 1-8 under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, or provide a letter from Veterans UK or Ministry of Defence certifying award of a lump sum payment due to a permanent and substantial disability causing inability to walk or considerable difficulty in walking.

Companion eligibility

You are eligible to have a companion travel with you for free if you meet one of the following criteria:

• You receive Attendance Allowance
• You receive Pension Age Disability Payment
• You receive Disability Living Allowance (higher or middlerate of the care component)
• You receive Child Disability Payment (higher or middlerate of the care component)
• You receive Adult Disability Payment (standard or enhancedrate of the daily living component)
• You receive Personal Independence Payment (higher or lower rate of daily living component)
• You are severely sight impaired (blind)
• You receive War Pensions Constant Attendance Allowance
• You live in a care/residential home or hospital and are eligible for one of the qualifying benefits listed above.

Providing proof documents

If you receive one of the qualifying benefits you'll need a letter to confirm your eligibility. The letter must be dated within the last 18 months and confirm the length of benefit entitlement. For details on getting your letter, please contact DWP or Social Security Scotland.

If you live in a care or residential home or hospital and your qualifying benefit is suspended, you can also provide a letter from the hospital/care home confirming that you are eligible for one of the above benefits, live there and receive 24 hour care.

If you are severely sight impaired (blind), and aged 16 and over you will need to provide a copy of the Certificate of Vision (CVI) Scotland form. If you are aged under 16 you should provide a letter from a Visual Impairment Network for Children and Young People (VINCYP) team member, health professional, or other registered society or voluntary sector organisation stating that you have a severe sight impairment that has been confirmed by an ophthalmologist or paediatrician.

You are eligible for free bus travel as a disabled veteran if you have received a lump sum benefit under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) 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 Veterans UK.

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 below.

You can apply for a National Entitlement Card:

• online
• through your council or Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) if you reside in the Strathclyde region

Online

You can apply online at getyournec.scot.

You may find it useful to download or look out the documents that you will need, as outlined on getyournec.scot, before starting your application. You will need:

• a mygovscot myaccount
• proof of identity
• proof of disability (if relevant)
• a recent photograph

You can apply using a smartphone/tablet or a computer depending on your preference, and if you don't have scanned copies of your documents, you can take photos of your proofs during the application process using a smartphone/tablet.

You should allow at least two weeks to receive your card. After you have applied, you can log back in to check the status of your application – i.e. submitted, approved, rejected.

Through your council or SPT

You can also apply through your council or Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), who manage applications for the scheme on behalf of some councils. You should contact them to find out more about the application process in your area. They will tell you if you need to complete an application form and what you need to do.

You will need:

• a completed application form (not all councils need this)
• a recent photograph
• proof of age or disability
• proof of your current address

Check the National Entitlement Card website for more information on the proofs required to confirm your identity and address. If you are applying for disabled concessionary travel, check the eligibility section for more information on the proofs required.

We are unable to provide or send out application forms as these should be obtained from your local council.

You should allow at least two weeks to receive your card. If this will take longer, your local council will tell you about this when you apply.

When you get your card

Please check that the photograph and personal details on your new card are correct. If any are not, or if this card is for someone who is no longer at the address, phone the number on the back of the card to report this. If your new card is a replacement, you should start using it immediately and destroy any old cards you have as these will not work on the ticketing machines on the bus.

Renewing and replacing cards

Contact your council or SPT to apply for a replacement card if:

• your card is lost, stolen or damaged
• your card did not work when you used the ticket machine
• you want to change your name, address or photo

If you need to replace or renew your bus pass, you cannot do it online at getyournec.scot. You will need to apply for a new bus pass.

Change of address

If you change address, phone the number on the back of your card to let your card issuer know. However, if you move to another council area you must also let your new council know.

Expiry dates

Your National Entitlement Card may have an expiry date on the front. If you're 60 or over, your new card won’t have an expiry date on it and is valid for life, providing you continue to live in Scotland.

If you have a National Entitlement Card because you’re disabled, it might have an expiry date on it. Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) no longer send out renewal forms to cardholders. Your council may be in touch four to six weeks before your card runs out. If you don't hear from them or need help you should contact them directly. You should provide proof of disability at least five weeks before your card expires to allow time for this to be processed and a new card to be issued.

If you apply to renew your card before the expiry date, your previous card will stop working a few days after your new card is processed. Please start using your new card as soon as it arrives and destroy your old card.

For any questions please contact the number printed on the back of your card.

Using your card is easy. Just make sure you have it with you and then when you get on the bus, tell the bus driver where you are going and tap it on the electronic card reader to use it.

Remember:

• This card has been issued to you and should only be used by you – you shouldn’t give it to anyone else.
• Take good care of your card – if you forget it or it gets damaged and doesn’t work, you’ll need to pay the fare.
• You can only use your most recently issued card on the bus - older cards will not work and you will need to pay the fare.
• You need to report any changes of circumstances which may affect your entitlement, including changes of address, to your local council. Check the back of your card for the right number.

Travel using a National Entitlement Card is subject to the normal regulations and conditions of carriage of each transport operator. Your card gives you the same rights as a full-fare paying passenger.

Transport Scotland has a fraud policy and any person(s) found to be misusing any aspect of the scheme may have their entitlement to free bus travel withdrawn and incidents of misuse may also be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

Full details of the NEC terms and conditions.

Using your companion card

Companions can travel for free with all cardholders that have the +1 logo on their card.

Your companion and journey can vary, but your companion can only travel for free when they are with you. You do not have to travel with a companion, but the entitlement is there for when you need it.

Please note that companions must be aged five or over.

On the bus

When you get on the bus, look for the electronic ticket machine by the door to the driver's compartment. Place your card on the machine with your photograph facing up and tell the driver your stop. The driver will help you if you need assistance. If there isn't a ticket machine like this, just show the driver your card and tell them your stop.

If the electronic ticket machine did not recognise your card it may have expired or be damaged. If this is the case, please contact your council immediately to arrange a new card. You should allow at least two weeks to receive your card. If this will take longer, your local council will tell you about this when you apply.

If the card appears to be valid but does not work on the machine, the driver will give you the option to pay the full fare and keep your card or hand over your card in exchange for a seven day temporary pass. The temporary pass will be valid for free travel for you but the companion element will not be available. You should then contact your council immediately to request a new card. You should allow at least two weeks to receive your card. If this will take longer, your local council will tell you about this when you apply.

Where can I travel?

Your National Entitlement Card gives you free travel throughout Scotland on nearly all local registered and long-distance scheduled bus services. Only a few services (such as premium-fare night buses, tours/excursions and group hire services) do not accept the card. So you can travel almost everywhere in Scotland and as far as Carlisle and Berwick-upon-Tweed. Contact your transport provider before travelling if you have any questions.

Many of Scotland's major towns and cities are easily accessible with the National Entitlement Card. Use the Visit Scotland website to find out how you can reach some of the country's best attractions by bus.

Some councils offer other discounts on rail, tram or subway for their cardholders. Your card issuing council can tell you more – a contact number can be found on the back of your card when you receive it.

Travel out with Scotland

Your National Entitlement Card is not valid for travel out with Scotland, however, you can use it on services to and from Carlisle and on services to and from Berwick-upon-Tweed from anywhere in Scotland. Please note that your card is not valid for travel within these towns.

Tickets and booking

Tickets

The National Concessionary Travel Scheme legislation does not require paper tickets to be issued to cardholders for concession journeys. The issuing of paper tickets to passengers is an operational decision at the discretion of the bus operator.

Booking in advance

Some services allow you to book tickets and/or seats in advance. It is possible to book in advance with a National Entitlement Card but you may incur a booking fee which will not be covered by your card. Remember to check with the bus operator if your tickets need to be collected before you make your journey.

Transport Scotland manages the policy and some parts of the delivery of the National Concessionary Travel schemes (like repaying bus operators). The Improvement Service manages applications made through getyournec.scot. Local councils/SPT manage all other applications.

Help with applying, renewing or replacing your National Entitlement Card

Online

Get help with applying for or replacing your NEC online via the helpdesk for getyournec.scot.

Contact your council or SPT

Contact your council or SPT for further information about the eligibility criteria, the application process and how to report lost or stolen cards and vouchers.

General enquiries

For general information on the concessionary travel scheme for those aged 60 and over and disabled people, or if there's anything you're not sure about, contact us using the details below:

Concessionary Travel and Smart and Integrated Ticketing
Transport Scotland
George House
36 North Hanover Street
Glasgow
G1 2AD

concessionarytravel@transport.gov.scot

Bus operators

If you have any questions about individual bus routes, services or journeys please contact the bus operator directly.

Agreements with the bus industry

Transport Scotland agreed terms in January 2024 setting budgets and reimbursement rates to bus operators for both the Scotland-wide Free Bus Travel Scheme for Older and Disabled People and the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme for 2024-2025.

The new agreement ensures bus operators continue to be fairly reimbursed for carrying passengers under these schemes and safeguards free bus travel for older, eligible disabled and young people living in Scotland.

Similar to the previous agreements, changes were required to the legislation underpinning both schemes. Amended legislation detailing changes to the budget and reimbursement rates to operators came into force on 1 April 2024.

Under 5s Extension to Disabled Companion Concessionary NECs

Transport Scotland has extended the existing Scotland-wide Free Bus Travel Scheme to disabled children under 5.

The Scottish Parliament passed legislation, on 3 March 2021, that extends the existing National Concessionary Travel Scheme (NCTS) to eligible disabled children under the age of five, allowing free bus travel for them and an accompanying companion.

This entitlement became available from 1 April 2021.

2024 Agreement with the Bus Industry

The National Bus Travel Concession Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Order 2024

Background to the scheme

In 2004, the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) and the Scottish Executive committed to an unrestricted scheme providing free bus travel for people living in Scotland aged 60 and over, as well as eligible disabled people. The process is documented in the agreement letter from the Scottish Executive and the response from the CPT.

• Scottish Executive agreement letter to CPT
• Agreement response from CPT

In 2005, a public consultation exercise followed these initial agreements. The consultation asked questions that covered topics such as proposed eligibility criteria and technical aspects of the scheme.

Following on from the consultation and stakeholder discussions, the Scottish Executive prepared two Scottish Statutory Instruments that underpinned the terms of the scheme. These were approved by the Scottish Parliament and came into force from 1 April 2006.

• SSI 2006/107 - The National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Scotland) Order 2006
• SSI 2006/117 - The National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Eligible Persons and Eligible Services) (Scotland) Order 2006

This Privacy Policy outlines how we use, store and share the personal information we hold about you in connection with our national concessionary travel schemes.