Free Bus Pass

moneyistooshorttomention

Got it:

- English buspass (also covers the Isle of Wight)
OR
- Scottish entitlement card (presumably also covers the Isle of Wight)
OR
- Welsh buspass (presumably also covers the Isle of Wight)

presumably there's a Northern Ireland buspass too (inc. Isle of Wight)?

Gers

Can't imagine that the Scottish one covers the Isle of Wight - it's over 500 miles away. Even the lovely Proclaimers would baulk at that!

pappa_golf

the scheme in Lancashire seems to be called nowcard , and it seems that at the age of 61 and 3/4 , I cannot get one until 2020


am I on the right one or is there a different settup

greyfox

The Isle of Wight is part of England!

ancientofdays

My bus pass has been issued in the west Midlands. Here, they are valid on all bus services within the west midlands and also on trains within the west midlands. So when I travel outside the area, I need a ticket only from the last station on that route within the area.

I have used the pass in Yorkshire, Cheshire, Essex, Oxfordshire and if I recall correctly, a couple of other counties. It cannot be used in Scotland, as I did ask the bus driver when I was there, but I'm not sure about Wales as last time I was there, I didn't use the bus.

Edited to tell you that it is also valid on the tram.

It saves me a lot of money and also saves my employer, the local council, lots since I rarely have to claim for local travel expenses. If I have to travel further for work, it can reduce that cost to my employer by a third, using my senior railcard.

teddysmum

Our council's website says the pass can only be used in England and lists restricted times for local use. It specifically says that it is for bus use only (no train or tram usage).

Farway

teddysmum wrote: »

Our council's website says the pass can only be used in England and lists restricted times for local use. It specifically says that it is for bus use only (no train or tram usage).

Odd that about trams, I used mine on trams in Manchester, my national [English] bus pass is issued by Hampshire

pollypenny

SailorSam wrote: »

I think we can use them in Wales but not Scotland.
I don't suppose that many use the National part of the pass much. But if you were say on holiday in Wales; London, or Cornwall it would be handy to have for the free travel. And i have read about some people who have spent two or three week travelling all around the Country on local buses and stopping for bed & breakfast each night.

No. We can travel across the border from Wales, say to Chester or Ellesmere Port, and back, of course.

Once in England we have to pay. Before the card readers came in I used my bus pass in Manchester.

We can also get a discounted bus ticket to Liverpool, but it means changing at Chester. Better to drive to Hooton and get the train.

I envy you your Mersey Rail card, Sam.

cbrown372

Gers wrote: »

The card isn't a UK-wide one but a country specifc - England, Wales, Scotland, NI i.e. national. It's called 'national concession card'.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_National_Concessionary_Travel_Scheme

I can use mine for Scotland and as far as (English) Berwick. Discounted travel on Glasgow Subway. Here it's called 'national entitlement card'

http://www.transport.gov.scot/public-transport/concessionary-travel-people-aged-60-or-disability

The Edinburgh tram system is excluded from the national card as it was privately funded though Edinburgh residents who have a 'concession' card can use it free.

I believe the Scottish pass can take you to Carlisle and presumably back if you book a return ticket in Scotland? Haven't tried it yet

The big advantage with the pass in Scotland is you can get it from age 60, man or woman and it can be used at any time of the day.

p00hsticks

Farway wrote: »

Odd that about trams, I used mine on trams in Manchester, my national [English] bus pass is issued by Hampshire

you can also use them on Sheffield trams after 9.30 am