Overview
- In England, disabled person’s bus passes are issued by local councils, and eligibility follows set criteria that include seven automatic qualifying conditions such as severe sight impairment or a long-term walking disability.
- The English pass typically allows free local bus travel after 9:30am on weekdays and all day on weekends and bank holidays, with separate TfL arrangements for London-based cards.
- Scotland’s National Entitlement Card provides unlimited free travel on registered local and long‑distance buses, excludes some premium services, and can include a required companion for eligible users of any age.
- Transport Scotland says it is taking over operational responsibility from local authorities and expects the changes to help introduce smart ticketing across the network.
- Eligibility across the UK often relies on specific disability-related benefits and proof such as recent award letters, and Scotland accepts valid Blue Badges issued elsewhere in the UK or by other EU member states when applying for the NEC.