Personal Independence Payment
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit for people who need help with daily activities or getting around.
Free bus pass and transport concessions
If you're 60 or over or you have a disability, you might be eligible for public transport concessions – from discounts on your rail journeys to a free bus pass.
What transport concessions are available?
There are several national public transport concessions available to older and disabled people. Some entitle you to discounts on your fares, while others allow you to travel for free.
Eligibility for these concessions depends on whether you have a disability or your age.
Can I get a free bus pass?
Depending on your age and your circumstances, you might be able to get one of the following free bus passes, which allow you to travel free on local buses:
- an older person's bus pass
- a disabled person's bus pass
What age do I have to be to get an older person's bus pass?
You can get an older person's bus pass when you reach State Pension age, which is currently 66 for both women and men.
Apply for your older person's bus pass on GOV.UK
If you're 60 or over and live in London, then you can get free travel on buses, trains and other modes of transport in and around London with a 60+ London Oyster photocard.
Apply for your 60+ London Oyster photocard on the TFL website
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.
How can I get a disabled person's bus pass?
There's 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.
Find your local council and apply for a disabled person's bus pass on GOV.UK
Are there any other discounts if I'm an older person or I'm disabled?
It's a good idea to contact individual transport operators to see if they offer discounts.
For instance, National Express offers Coachcards. These are discount cards for older or disabled customers. You buy them for a set fee of £15 and they get you a third off the cost of your travel across the year.
Find out more and order a Coachcard on the National Express website
Can I get a discount on train travel?
Depending on your age and circumstances, you might be entitled to one of the below railcards:
Both railcards are discount cards. You buy them for a set fee to last either 1 or 3 years and they get you a third off the cost of your train travel.
Can I get a Senior Railcard?
The Senior Railcard is available for anyone aged 60 or over to buy.
You can apply on the Senior Railcard website using a valid passport or UK driving licence as ID. Or, you can apply in person at most staffed railway stations.
Find out more about the Senior Railcard and apply online
Can I get a Disabled Person's Railcard?
The Disabled Person's Railcard is available to you if you meet one of the following criteria:
- you're registered as deaf or use a hearing aid
- you're registered as having a visual impairment
- you have epilepsy
- you receive a disability-related benefit, such as Personal Independence Payment
- you receive War or Service Disablement pension
- you receive Attendance Allowance
- you receive Severe Disablement Allowance
- you receive War Pensioner's mobility supplement
Find out more about the Disabled Person's Railcard and apply online
Can I get a London Freedom Pass?
Freedom Passes give London residents free travel in the city – including National Rail services, the Underground, buses, river services and trams – and free local bus journeys nationally.
If you live in London, you can apply for a Freedom Pass if one of the following applies to you:
- you've reached State Pension age
- you have a disability.
Find out more about Freedom Passes and apply on the London Councils website
What if I have difficulty using public transport?
National Rail has an interactive tool called Stations Made Easy, designed to help people find their way around stations and find more accessible routes, avoiding potential difficulties like stairs. This may be helpful if you have difficulty using public transport because of your health.
What if I'm unable to use public transport?
If you're disabled, you can't use public transport, or you don't have access to a car, you might also be able to use a community transport scheme – such as a social car, dial-a-ride, or taxicard scheme.
Shopmobility schemes help people shop in town centres by lending out wheelchairs and scooters. Some local councils also offer concessions on local public transport.
To find out what's available in your area, you can contact your local council or your local Age UK.
More travel concessions questions
Can I use my free bus pass on National Express buses?
No, you can't use a free bus pass on National Express buses. To get senior concessions on National Express you need to buy a senior coachcard, which costs £15 a year and gets you a third off the cost of your travel across the year.
Can I use my free bus pass in London?
Yes, your bus pass will give you free travel on buses across England, including London. However, there may be specific rules about when you can travel for free, so check your local council's free bus pass guidance before travelling.
Find your local council's older person's bus pass guidance on GOV.UK
Want more information?
We're here to help
We offer support through our free advice line on 0800 678 1602. Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year. We also have specialist advisers at over 120 local Age UKs.