Concessionary travel on local buses

People over the age of 60, and those of any age with a disability, and resident in England, can obtain a bus pass to enjoy free off-peak local bus travel anywhere in England.  Since 1st April 2009 the new Northumberland County Council has taken over the scheme previously provided by the six district and borough councils in Northumberland.

The scheme is free and easy to use, once you have your pass.  You can nip into town more often, or explore new places.  Just check the bus times and let someone else do the driving.  Travel for free and go further by bus!

The national scheme offers free local bus travel for those eligible from 9.30 am until 11 pm on Mondays to Fridays, and all day at weekends and bank holidays.  Within Northumberland, the new council has extended the entitlement for older people to provide travel all day from 9 am.  Holders of disabled concessionary passes can travel at any time of the day.

The concession entitles pass holders to free travel on any off-peak local bus in England.  The definition of a local bus may include some tour buses and the element of any long-distance coach service that is registered as a local bus service – if you are in doubt you should check with the bus operator.

You cannot use the pass on the Metro system in Tyne and Wear or on local train services.  Residents of Northumberland who hold a valid concessionary bus pass can also purchase a Nexus Gold Card which allows free off-peak travel on the Metro system.  The Gold Card costs £25 for a year's travel and can be bought from Nexus Travelshops.

For journeys across the border into Scotland, the bus operators may charge a fare for the part of the route outside England, but the neighbouring Scottish authority may offer a concession for the whole journey.  Passes issued in Scotland are not generally available for use on buses in England, but the Scottish authority may offer travel on sections of route in Northumberland on cross-border routes.  If you have a pass issued in Scotland, contact your local authority for details.

If you want to apply for a new pass, you can apply by post at Concessionary Travel, Northumberland County Council, Hadrian House, Market Street, Hexham, NE46 3NH.  Alternatively you can apply in person at one of our Information Centres.  You can also call our customer services team on 0845 600 6400 for more information - your call is charged at local rate.  Click on this link for the addresses of our Information Centres.

If you are shortly to reach the age when you become eligible for a pass but have not yet done so, you can apply in advance, but we would recommend no more than a month in advance; we will keep your application on file as we cannot issue a pass until you become eligible.

If you are unable to travel alone, you can apply for a Companion Pass.  This enables a friend, relation or carer of your choice to travel with you.  You will need certification to show you are unable to travel alone, and the application form (see below) shows you how to apply.

If you have lost your concessionary bus pass, you can apply for a replacement from where you obtained the original pass.  The charge for a replacement pass is £3.

Application forms

Click here for the form for an older person's pass

Click here for the form for a disabled person's pass

Click here for the form for a companion pass

Click here for the form for a replacement pass

Guidance notes

Click here for guidance notes for the older person's pass

Click here for guidance notes for the disabled person's pass

Other travel concessions on local buses

Some local bus operators in Northumberland offer concessionary fares without direct involvement from the local authorities.  Examples are Arriva's Teen Card and Go North East's Get-Around schemes for young people and students.  For more details look at the Arriva or the Go North East website.  Other bus operators in Northumberland may offer concessions in addition.

Statutory Notice

We have published a Statutory Notice for bus operators in Northumberland who participate in the scheme.  This is our Notification of Arrangement for Concessionary Bus Scheme for April 2010.  To see the Statutory Notice click here.