Free concessionary bus passes

People of pensionable age

You qualify for a concessionary bus pass when you reach the pensionable age applicable to a woman, irrespective of whether you are male or female.

Calculate your State Pension AgeOpens new window.

To use the calculator, select 'female' (even if you are male) and enter your date of birth.

You may apply up to 28 days before you become entitled to use your pass.

People who are disabled and/or cannot drive for medical reasons

You're eligible for a disability-related pass if you:

• are blind or partially sighted
• are profoundly or severely deaf
• are without speech
• have a disability, or have suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term effect on your ability to walk
• don't have arms or have long-term loss of the use of both arms
• have a learning disability

You're also eligible if your application for a driving licence would be refused under section 92 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (physical fitness). However, you won't be eligible if you were refused because of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol.

If you are unable to travel alone due to your disability you may be eligible for a companion bus pass. This will allow you to be accompanied by any person over 16 years of age, free of charge.

Age-related pass

My first age related bus pass:

For customers who are unable to use the on-line system to make their new Age Related Application, we can offer a paper form which is available on  request.  Please call 01452 426265.

The most straightforward method is to
apply for your pass online
Please note: you will need a digital photograph of yourself to apply online.
This must be recent, colour, full face, without glasses (unless you are blind) and without a hat.

You can also apply

• at any of Gloucestershire's participating libraries
• at Wotton-under-Edge One Stop Shop

(Council offices cannot process applications.)

You must take a suitable proof of age and address with you to apply in person.
List of suitable proofs of age and address

Lost, stolen or damaged Age related bus pass:

Usually you can do this online.

At the moment, due to ICT updates, to get a replacement bus pass, you'll have to visit a library. 

• List of Gloucestershire's participating libraries
• More advice at Wotton-under-Edge One Stop Shop

Disability-related pass

Paper application. Please apply using your free bus travel pack; visit Applying for a disability related bus pass to find out more.

The £1 fare applies to any return journey to or from Park & Ride sites at Arle Court, the Racecourse or Waterwells on production of a valid English National Concessionary Travel Pass after 9.30am on weekdays and at any time on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays from 1 April 2016. 

Prior to 9.30am on weekdays the full adult fare will still apply.

This charge has been introduced by Gloucestershire County Council in line with Government guidance and is used to help meet the operational costs of council funded public transport services. 

Age-related pass

Your pass will be automatically renewed if you have used it within the last 13 months. Please ensure you let us know of any change of address well in advance of the expiry date. If you have not received an automatic replacement of your age related bus pass, this isn't a problem. you just need to go to a participating Library and they will arrange for your new bus pass to be issued. However, if you have changed your address and not notified us, please take proof of your new address (e.g. Council Tax bill, Utility bill , Bank statement etc.) to the participating Library so your record can be updated. There is no charge for the renewal of a bus pass.

List of participating Libraries

If your current bus pass has not expired you can continue to use it , but then cut it up once your new pass arrives.

Disability-related pass

If your bus pass is due to expire soon:

• You will receive a new bus pass automatically if you have used it within the last 13 months.

OR

• You will receive a letter advising you what you will need to do to get a new bus pass.

If you do not receive your new pass or a letter please contact us on 01452 426265.

Change of circumstances:

If you have changed your address and not notified us, please take proof of your new address (e.g. Council Tax bill, Utility bill, Bank statement etc.) to a participating Library so your record can be updated. There is no charge for the renewal of a bus pass.

List of participating Libraries

If your current bus pass has not expired you can continue to use it , but then cut it up once your new pass arrives.

If your application is successful your pass should arrive by post within 7 to 21 days. Please note that if you have sent us your disability-related pass application by post, it may take a few days longer to process.

Conditions of issue and use of Gloucestershire Concessionary Bus Passes

• Your concessionary bus pass is valid on participating bus operators' services from 9.30am to 11pm on weekdays and at any time at weekends and bank holidays for journeys within England. You may also use your pass for travel between any bus stop in Gloucestershire and Monmouth or Chepstow
• Your concessionary bus pass may be used before 9.30am on weekdays only on certain Gloucestershire routes and services, details of which are available in this service list or by calling 01452 426265. Gloucestershire County Council reserves the right to change such routes and services at any time at our absolute discretion
• You must show your concessionary bus pass to the bus driver on every qualifying journey you undertake. Failure to do so will result in you having to pay the full adult fare for that journey
• The bus driver or inspector has the right to question your entitlement to travel free under the concessionary travel scheme
• The bus operator's normal conditions of carriage and passenger regulations will apply when you use your concessionary bus pass on their buses
• Your concessionary bus pass cannot be used to purchase Season, Express Coach, Excursion or other tickets
• Your concessionary bus pass is for your personal use only. It is not transferable and must not be used by any other person
• If you have a ‘disabled with companion’ card which is marked with a ‘C’ in the top right hand corner your concessionary bus pass allows a companion to travel with you for free. Your companion may not use the card other than when they are accompanying you as the card holder. This additional concession is available only in respect of journeys undertaken within Gloucestershire. It is possible that similar concessionary travel schemes are in operation across other counties, though it will be necessary for you to seek confirmation of this from the relevant Travel Concession Authorities
• Your concessionary bus pass will be rendered void if it is altered, defaced, mutilated or out-of-date
• In the event that you lose or damage your concessionary bus pass the decision as to whether you will be provided with a replacement pass will be at the sole discretion of Gloucestershire County Council. You will be required to pay a replacement charge for any concessionary bus pass that is provided to you
• Your concessionary bus pass, including any photograph attached thereto, remains the property of Gloucestershire County Council and must be surrendered to the Council or any of its representatives on demand
• You acknowledge and agree that Gloucestershire County Council is not responsible for bus services that are provided by bus operators participating in Gloucestershire’s concessionary travel scheme, and that your use of such services is subject to the terms and conditions of the relevant bus operator. For the avoidance of doubt, you acknowledge and agree neither Gloucestershire County Council nor any other local authority in Gloucestershire that is participating in the said concessionary travel scheme accepts responsibility or liability for any personal injury or other loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from your use of a bus operator's services
• If, due to a change on your circumstances, your main place of residence is no longer in Gloucestershire, or if for some other reason you no longer use or are no longer eligible to use your concessionary bus pass, please return your pass to

The Integrated Transport Unit
Gloucestershire County Council
Shire Hall
Gloucester GL1 2TH
so that it may be cancelled. Details of eligibility can be found above

• If you move residential address and remain resident in Gloucestershire, you are required to inform Gloucestershire County Council of your new address by writing to

The Integrated Transport Unit
Gloucestershire County Council
Shire Hall
Gloucester GL1 2TH
in order that we may update our records and contact you about any pass renewals or changes in the conditions of use for your pass that may occur

• If you are granted a Gloucestershire concessionary bus pass under the provisions of the Concessionary Bus Travel Act 2007 you will not be entitled to receive any alternative concession such as travel tokens from your Local District Authority other than at their discretion
• If you have applied for a disabled concessionary bus pass, Gloucestershire County Council may require you to attend a disability assessment to assess your eligibility. Refusal to attend such an assessment will result in any existing disabled concessionary bus pass you may hold being annulled
• By applying for a concessionary bus pass you acknowledge and agree that it will be necessary for Gloucestershire County Council to make such enquiries as it considers reasonably necessary to check the information you have given in your application form. Should a concessionary bus pass be issued on the basis of information that is subsequently found to have been submitted fraudulently, the County Council reserves the right to prosecute
• Misuse of your concessionary bus pass may result in prosecution and/or withdrawal of your pass
• Gloucestershire County Council follows best practice in managing personal information in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation 2018 and Data Protection Act 1998. By applying for a concessionary bus pass you are granting your consent for Gloucestershire County Council to use or share any information given by you with other authorised bodies for the purposes of administering the scheme; issuing your concessionary bus pass; and auditing or fraud prevention

On the bus

• You must show your concessionary bus pass to the bus driver when boarding the bus. No other evidence of your entitlement to concessionary travel will be acceptable. The relevant full fare will be payable if your pass is not shown
• When boarding a bus you are required to inform the bus driver of your intended destination
• Some bus operators issue tickets or receipts for concessionary journeys. If one is issued to you, please take it and keep it throughout your journey
• Some buses will be crowded, particularly at times of day when workers and children need to travel. If you can, please arrange your journey times to avoid these buses.

Conditions of Issue and Use of Gloucestershire Concessionary Bus Passes (printable)

Lost, stolen or damaged bus passes:

An Age Related replacement bus pass can be done on line, or by visiting a local participating Library.

A Disability Bus Pass replacement bus pass can be arranged by visiting a local participating Library.

The answer to your questions may be found by reading our Concessionary Bus Pass Frequently Asked Questions