Travel

Scotland Wide Free Bus Travel for Older and Disabled People

Under this scheme anyone aged 60 and over and many disabled people who live in Scotland are able to travel free on any local bus and scheduled long distance coach service in Scotland any time throughout the day. You need to have your Accord/National Entitlement Card in order to take advantage of the scheme.

How to apply for an Accord/National Entitlement Card

If you are aged 60 or over, or about to turn 60 within the next two weeks, you can apply for your Accord/National Entitlement Card at the Customer Service Centre at Marischal College or one of the Customer Access Points.

You must apply in person bringing with you proof of your age. This can be:

• Birth Certificate
• Passport
• Driving Licence
• Attendance Allowance Award Letter

You must also bring proof of your address which states your name. This can be: 

• The current years Council Tax Bill
• A utility or land line telephone bill not older than three months
• TV license
• Letter from a Residential Home or a letter from a Local Authority which confirms your address.

You also require a current passport sized colour photograph.

  

If you are disabled and of fare paying age (five years or over) and you meet any of the qualifying criteria below, you will also be eligible for Scotland-Wide Free Bus Travel.

To get information on the criteria that qualify for Scotland-Wide Free Bus Travel and to find out what documents you need to bring with you when you apply for your Accord/National Entitlement Card click on the link(s) below:

I receive the Higher Rate of Mobility component of Disability Living Allowance.

I receive the Higher or Middle Rate of Care component of Disability Living Allowance.

I receive Attendance Allowance.

I live in a Care or residential home or hospital. 

I am a Blue Badge holder.

I am Severely Or Profoundly Deaf.

I am Not permitted to drive on medical grounds.

I suffer from Mental Illness, Learning Disability or Personal Disorder.

 I am Terminally Ill.

I suffer from a Progressively Degenerative Disorder.

I have suffered a Loss of limbs.

I am Visually Impaired.

I receive the Mobility Supplement from the Veterans Agency.

I am a Seriously Injured Veteran.

I have Epilepsy.

 If you require a companion. 

Some disabled people are entitled to have a companion travel with them. This allows both you and another person to travel free of charge. Your Companion can be a different person for different journeys and there is no need to have someone with you on every journey you make.

Transport Scotland is responsible for running the concessionary travel scheme which provides discounted or free travel on public transport for older and disabled people.

 

***********************************************************************

How to renew your Free Bus Travel Entitlement

If you qualify because you are over 60, your Accord/National Entitlement Card is renewed automatically. If your card has an expiry date prior to 31/12/2016, you will be sent a new card 7 days before your current card expires. 　*NEW* If your card has an expiry date of 31/12/2016, you will receive a new card without an expiry date meaning your card. We will update you on this as and when details on the new cards become available.

Renewals will be sent to the address you have supplied to  the Accord Office. If you have moved address since receiving your card, you need to tell us your new address. You must do this in person at one of the Customer Service Centres and please don't forget to bring proof of your new address  e.g. utility bill, bank statement or council tax bill.

If you receive free bus travel because of disability, you must  to provide proof of your entitlement (see list of qualifying criteria above) and proof of your address in order to have your entitlement renewed. We would recommend that you renew at least 2 weeks prior to your current card expiring to ensure your new card arrives in time. We will send you a letter reminding you of this approximately 6 weeks prior to your card expiring.