The National Concessionary Travel Scheme allows those who are eligible, to travel on local buses free of charge anywhere in England. The national concession applies at off-peak times. Off-peak is defined as the hours between 9.30am and 11.00 pm on Mondays to Fridays and all day Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

In addition to the national concession, eligible Central Bedfordshire residents can travel free all day every day on local buses within and from Central Bedfordshire.  There may be restrictions on travel from outside Central Bedfordshire in the peak period.

To travel free on local buses, these must be registered as “local services” which is a legal definition covering most buses (and some coaches) running to a fixed timetable.

National Concessionary Travel Passes are plastic “Smartcards” which need to be carefully looked after. Although your first pass is issued free, you may be charged at least £5 for a replacement if it is lost or damaged.

Your National Concessionary Travel Pass is valid for off-peak travel anywhere in England but not in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Guide to the scheme

Before you apply for a Travel Pass, you can read a copy of our guide to the national concessionary travel scheme (PDF 302KB) for full information on who qualifies and what the pass entitles you to.

Apply now

You can now download and complete the national concessionary travel scheme application form (PDF 34KB)

If you require a Companion Pass, we need your GP (or qualified medical practitioner) to sign and stamp a certificate to confirm that you are unable to use public transport without another person to accompany you.   Please ask for the correct form.   Your doctor may charge for making this assessment.

Your completed application can be returned by hand to any of the Customer Service Centres above.   You may also send your application and supporting documents to Central Bedfordshire Council, Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands Shefford. SG17 5TQ.  We recommend that letters containing valuable documents are registered.

Your Travel Pass will be posted to your home address within 10 working days of your application being approved.

There is no charge for issuing a National Concessionary Travel Pass.

Note for people applying on the grounds of disability

There are seven categories of disability under which a person can be entitled to concessionary bus travel. An eligible person is someone who:

1. is blind or partially sighted, 
2. is profoundly or severely deaf, 
3. is without speech, 
4. has a disability, or has suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his ability to walk, 
5. does not have arms or has long-term loss of the use of both arms, 
6. has a learning disability, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning, or
7. would, if he applied for the grant of a licence to drive a motor vehicle under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, have his application refused pursuant to section 92 of that Act (physical fitness) otherwise than on the ground of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol.

You are automatically eligible for a concessionary Travel Pass if you can prove (with an award letter or exemption certificate) that you receive one or both of the following state benefits:

There are seven categories of disability under which a person can be entitled to concessionary bus travel. An eligible person is someone who:

1. is blind or partially sighted, 
2. is profoundly or severely deaf, 
3. is without speech, 
4. has a disability, or has suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his ability to walk, 
5. does not have arms or has long-term loss of the use of both arms, 
6. has a learning disability, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning, or
7. would, if he applied for the grant of a licence to drive a motor vehicle under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, have his application refused pursuant to section 92 of that Act (physical fitness) otherwise than on the ground of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol.

You are automatically eligible for a concessionary Travel Pass if you can prove (with an award letter or exemption certificate) that you receive one or both of the following state benefits:

• Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (HRMCDLA) 
• War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement (WPMS)

You are also eligible if you have been issued with a disabled person’s parking badge (“Blue Badge”).

• A colour passport photograph.  We can only accept passport quality and size photos. These must be recent (taken within the last 12 months) and full face.   (we may have the facility to take your photo at your local Customer Service Centre – please phone to check)
• Proof that you are a Central Bedfordshire resident (e.g. council tax statement, recent utility bill, recent bank statement, letter from solicitor)
• (If applying on the grounds of age) You must provide proof of age (e.g. passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, statement retirement pension book or entitlement card).
• (If applying on the grounds of disability) You must be of fare-paying age and must provide proof of your disability (see below).

We need to see original documents (not photocopies).

The age of eligibility for concessionary travel for women will be pension age and for men it will be the pensionable age of a woman born on the same day.

The state pension age for women is rising by five years over a period of ten years. The age of eligibility will rise incrementally, that is, in stages, between 2010 and 2020. The earliest age for men and women to get bus passes will therefore rise gradually, from 60 on 6 April 2010 to 65 on 5 April 2020.

The age of eligibility for the state pension is scheduled to rise by two months every one month. This means the earliest date on which you can get your bus pass will depend on which month you were born in and will not fall on your birthday.

There is a ready reckoner tool which enables people to see at what age they become eligible for their state pension and associated benefits. You can find this on the Directgov website.

There are seven categories of disability under which a person can be entitled to
Concessionary bus travel. An eligible person is someone who:

(a) is blind or partially sighted
(b) is profoundly or severely deaf
(c) is without speech
(d) has a disability, or has suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on his or her ability to walk
(e) does not have arms or has long-term loss of the use of both arms
(f) has a learning disability, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning, or
(g) would, if he applied for the grant of a licence to drive a motor vehicle under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, have his application refused pursuant to section 92 of that Act (physical fitness) otherwise than on the ground of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol.

Please notify Central Bedfordshire Council straight away. We may be able to tell you if it has been handed in. If your pass has been lost or damaged, we will issue you with a replacement for which there may be a charge. This charge cannot be refunded if you later find your pass.

Please report the theft to the Police. There is no charge for replacing a stolen pass, provided that it has been recorded as a crime and a crime reference number is obtained. As soon as you have a crime reference number, you should notify Central Bedfordshire Council to obtain a replacement.

If your mobility is so severely impaired that you require assistance when travelling (either because of your age or a disability), you may be entitled to a Companion Pass which grants free travel to both the holder and one companion while travelling within Central Bedfordshire. With this pass, a companion is also allowed to travel free in certain neighbouring areas, but not elsewhere in England.

People who hold a Travel Pass issued by Central Bedfordshire Council (or people who still have the older Mid Beds and South Beds District Council passes) can also travel for half the normal adult fare on:

• First Capital Connect trains between Sandy, Biggleswade and Arlesey and any station as far as Hadley Wood, Crews Hill and Royston
• First Capital Connect trains between Bedford and Elstree & Borehamwood
• East Midland trains between Bedford and Luton Airport Parkway
• London Midland trains between Bedford and Bletchley

You may travel at the discounted rate between any pair of stations within the limits above. Discounts are valid from 10.00 am on Mondays to Fridays and all day Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays. You may purchase Discounted tickets from any staffed ticket office (or from ticket vending machines by purchasing a CHILD ticket). They are not available on-line. You must carry your valid Concessionary Travel Pass with you throughout the journey and must show it on demand. Further conditions apply. 

Scheduled coach services are not included in the National Concessionary Travel Scheme, except those which are registered as local services (for example, Green Line 757,  Virgin Rail VT99 or Stagecoach X5). Coach operators have the option of whether or not to take part in this scheme, ask the coach company when booking your ticket whether they offer any concession