Apply for a concessionary bus pass

• About this service
• Who can use it?
• How do I use it?
• What happens next?
• What is covered?
• How long does it take?
• How much does it cost?

About this service

If you have an English National Concessionary Travel pass on grounds of pensionable entitlement, which is approaching expiry date, we will automatically send a replacement to the address we hold on our records before the pass expiry date, so it is essential you notify us of any change of address. 

If you have an English National Concessionary Travel pass on grounds of disability entitlement, which is approaching expiry date, then we will write to you no later than 14 days before pass expiry date, with details of how to apply for a replacement pass, so it is essential you notify us of any change of address. 

If you have moved within Somerset, all you need to do is update us with your new address, your pass will still be valid until expiry date. If you have moved out of Somerset, you need to inform us, and you will need to get a new pass from your new Local Authority.

If you move to Somerset from another authority, you must inform that authority that you have moved. They will cancel your existing travel pass, and therefore you will need to reapply to Somerset County Council for a replacement. Please complete download and complete the application form, and submit with a passport style photo and proof of eligability.

Following a 4 month consultation period with operators, Somerset County Council will be implementing a new Concessionary Bus Travel Scheme with effect from 1 April 2012. This new policy does not change pass holders eligibility or the way in which applications should be made.

Who can use it?

Residents of Somerset who are of pensionable age, or residents who are disabled and/or cannot drive for medical reasons, are entitled to a concessionary bus pass.

If you were born before 5th April 1950 you are eligible from your 60th birthday.

If you were born after 5th April 1950 the age of eligibility for women will be pension age and for men the pensionable age of a woman born on the same day.  From April 2010 the government is gradually increasing the state pension age for women from 60 to 65 by April 2020.

If you are unsure on what date you will become entitled to your concessionary bus pass please use the online State Pension age calculator (see Information and Resources).  Please indicate as female regardless of whether you are male or female.  Alternatively please use the age entitlement ready reckoner (see Information & Resources) or contact us and we will check for you.

If you are in any of the categories listed here, you could be entitled to concessionary bus travel:

• if you are blind or partially sighted
• if you are profoundly or severely deaf
• if you are without speech
• if you have a disability, or have suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to walk
• if you do not have arms or have long-term loss of the use of both arms
• if you have a learning disability or
• if you have applied for the grant of a licence to drive a motor vehicle under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, but your application was turned down because of section 92 of the Act (physical fitness) but not if it was because of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol

How do I use it?

To apply for a concessionary bus pass please complete an application form or contact us for a hard copy. You will need to complete the application form and send it to us with a recent, colour passport size photograph and proof of your age or disability. You will also need to send us proof of your home address (for example a utility bill). Where possible, please send photocopies of your documents as we cannot accept any responsibility for loss of documents in the post. However, we will return any original documents to you after we have processed your application.

Documentation for proof of age is one of the following:

• Passport
• Driving licence
• Medical card
• Birth certificate
• Department for Work and Pensions pension book or pink card

Documentation for proof of disability is one of the following: 

• Department for Work and Pensions Disability Living Allowance award letter showing a minimum of lower rate mobility and middle rate care, or higher rate mobility and no care component
• Department for Work and Pensions Attendance Allowance
• Letter from nursing/residential home or from Social Services

What happens next?

What is covered?

You should present your bus pass to the driver of the bus to obtain free travel.

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme Pass is valid from 9:00am to 11:00pm Monday to Friday and anytime on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.

You can use your bus pass for journeys which start and/or finish within the boundaries of England.

Your pass will not be valid on:

• Taunton Park and Ride services
• Berry's Superfast services
• National Express services
• Rail services

If you are a Somerset resident your pass is also valid on SLINKY services. 

Your pass is valid until the date printed on it.  

We will only send out renewal reminder letters to persons who have a pass on disability grounds.  All other passes will be renewed automatically.

How long does it take?

How much does it cost?