Public transport and concessions

Both practical and financial support on public transport concessions can help you to lead an active and independent life.

Bus and Coach concessions

The national concessionary travel scheme for older and disabled people provides free bus travel throughout Scotland for many older and disabled people. Under this scheme anyone aged sixty or over, and many disabled people, who live in Scotland are able to travel free on any local bus and scheduled long distance coach services in Scotland throughout the day.

Rail concessions

The Senior Railcard is available to anyone aged 60 or over. It costs £28 for one year or £65 for three years and allows you to save one-third of the cost of most rail fares in Great Britain. There may be other offers for cardholders such as reduced-price membership for art or food societies; see the Senior Card website (See Useful websites) for details.

The leaflet ‘Senior Railcard’ includes more details and an application form; it is available from railway stations or the network of rail-appointed travel agents.

The Disabled Persons Railcard costs £20 for a year (or £54 for three years) and it allows you to save one-third of the costs of most rail fares in Great Britain.

Plane concessions

Some airlines may offer concessions for older people. The qualifying age may be different for different airlines. For details of any concessions that may be offered for a particular journey, and the qualifying conditions, contact a travel agent or the airline.

Ferry concessions

Residents of the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland who are eligible for the national concessionary travel scheme, and have a National Entitlement Card, are entitled to two free return ferry journeys to the mainland each year. Some ferry companies offer discounts to Senior Railcard holders, and others may offer discounts to passengers above a certain age. Check with your travel agent or the ferry company to see what discounts may be available.

Community transport

If you are disabled and cannot use ordinary public transport, and do not have access to a car, there are community transport schemes that you may be able to use in your local are, run by local voluntary organisations.