Bus pass

You can apply for a bus pass for free travel when you reach the female State Pension age (whether you're a man or a woman), or if you have certain disabilities. This gives you free travel on most local bus services in England between 9.30am and 11pm weekdays and all day at weekends and on public holidays. In Plymouth you can also use it on Park and Ride services.

While our customer facing offices are closed, anyone wishing to apply for a concessionary bus pass can apply online, more details can be found below. If you have any queries you can contact the Sustainable Transport Team at publictransport@plymouth.gov.uk.

If you're aged 80 and over or registered blind you can enhance your pass so that you can travel free before 9.30am (within Plymouth). Update your pass (up to 10 days before your 80th birthday) by calling 01752 668000 or emailing publictransport@plymouth.gov.uk.

Apply online for a bus pass

If you're applying for your bus pass you can now do this online, you'll need the following information:

  • proof you live in Plymouth (acceptable proof is found below)
  • proof of age or disability depending on what grounds you're applying under (acceptable proof is found below)
  • a passport style photograph

Apply for a bus pass

Proof you live in Plymouth

Please provide one of the following with your name and address:

  • Council tax bill (Current financial year)
  • Utility bill (No older than 3 months)
  • Driving licence (photo driving licence only)
  • Rental agreement
  • Bank statement (No older than 3 months)
  • Letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (No older than 12 months)
  • Mooring licence for a site in Plymouth (if you live on a boat)

If you don't have any of the above, bring a letter from your landlord that says you're a Plymouth resident plus the landlord's council tax bill printed with their name.

Foreign nationals whose sole or principal residence is in Plymouth would be eligible. Persons whose sole or principal residence is outside England are not eligible, whether or not they hold a British passport. In respect of boat dwellers, a mooring licence for a site in Plymouth would be acceptable evidence of residency.

Proof of age

Please provide one of the following original documents:

  • Birth certificate
  • Passport (valid)
  • Driving licence
  • Letter from the Department for Work and Pensions confirming state retirement pension (No older than 3 months)
  • NHS medical card bearing name and date of birth
  • Printed prescription bearing name and date of birth

For all applications you will also be asked to provide your National Insurance number.

If you do not have any of the documents listed above and you were born in Plymouth you can obtain a copy of your birth certificate here.

Proof of disability

Please note that we do not accept letters from GPs as an acceptable form of evidence.

We do not accept handwritten letters as evidence from any provider under any circumstances. They must be typed on headed paper, dated and signed. Letters used to support an application must be no older than 12 months old.

Blue Badge

From 30 August 2019 a Blue Badge will no longer automatically entitle the holder to a concessionary bus pass. All applicants applying after this date will need to provide other proof listed below.

 

Blind or partially sighted

  • CVI (Certificate of Visual Impairment)
  • current disabled persons Blue Badge (issued prior to 30 August 2019)
  • disabled persons registration card SS310 confirming that applicant is registered blind (severely sight impaired) or partially sighted (sight impaired)
  • evidence from an eye specialist i.e. optometrist or consultant ophthalmologist, confirming that the applicant is able to be registered as blind (severely sight impaired) or partially sighted (sight impaired).

Profoundly or severely deaf (hearing loss must be bilateral)

Profound loss – the lowest sound people with this form of hearing loss can perceive is 95 decibels or more.

Severe loss – the lowest sound people with this form of hearing loss can perceive is 70-94 decibels.

  • audiological report or graph confirming a bilateral severe or profound loss
  • a report or letter from an aural specialist or consultant confirming that the applicant has bilateral hearing loss and  is able to be registered as profoundly or severely deaf
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Award with a score of at least 8 points for the ‘Communicating Verbally’ activity - the PIP award letter must be dated within the last 12 months
  • letter from the Royal Association for Deaf People confirming that the applicant has bilateral hearing loss and is registered as profoundly or severely deaf.

If you do not have a PIP award, including the scores that you receive, dated within the last 12 months, you need to contact the Department of Work and Pensions on 0800 121 4433 to request an up to date letter. 

Without speech

Unable to communicate orally in any language. This does not include those whose speech is slow or difficult to understand because, for example, of a severe stammer, or persons for whom English is not their first language.

  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Award with a score of at least 8 points for the ‘Communicating Verbally’ activity
  • letter on official paper from a speech therapist or consultant confirming that the applicant is without speech.

If you do not have a PIP award, including the scores that you receive, dated within the last 12 months, you need to contact the Department of Work and Pensions on 0800 121 4433 to request an up to date letter. 

Has a disability, or has suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to walk

  • Disability Living Allowance with higher rate mobility component - the DLA award letter must be dated within the last 12 months.
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Award with a score of at least 8 points for the ‘Moving Around’ activity
  • current disabled persons Blue Badge (Issued prior to 30 August 2019).

If you do not have a PIP award, including the scores that you receive, dated within the last 12 months, you need to contact the Department of Work and Pensions on 0800 121 4433 to request an up to date letter. 

If you do not have a DLA award letter dated within the last 12 months, you need to contact the Department of Work and Pensions on 0800 121 4433 to request and up to date award letter. 

Does not have arms or has long-term loss of the use of both arms

  • visible absence of arms
  • Disability Living Allowance with higher rate mobility component - the DLA letter must be dated within the last 12 months
  • current disabled persons Blue Badge (issued prior to 30 August 2019)
  • consultant’s report confirming a condition affecting both arms that prevents them from being able to use their arms to carry out day-to-day tasks.

If you do not have a DLA award letter dated within the last 12 months, you need to contact the Department of Work and Pensions on 0800 121 4433 to request and up to date award letter. 

Learning disabilities

Has a learning disability from childhood that is a state of arrested or incomplete development of the mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning. Persons with learning difficulties are not eligible under this category.

Adults

  • support/care plan issued by Plymouth City Council’s Adult Social Care Team confirming a learning disability
  • letter on official paper from a Learning Disability Support Group
  • letter on official paper from an organisation providing supported living for adults with a learning disability
  • letter on official paper from a Consultant or Occupational Therapist confirming a learning disability
  • letter on official paper from Livewell South West’s Community Learning Disabilities (or Learning Disabilities Parenting) Team confirming a learning disability
  • letter from Plymouth City Council’s Deputyship Team including Court Order and Council Tax Exemption
  • learning Disability Liaison Team based at Derriford Hospital
  • letter from Premier Care (Plymouth) confirming a Learning Disability.

Children (aged 5-18 inclusive)

  • support/care plan issued by Plymouth City Council’s Children’s Disability Service confirming a learning disability
  • letter from Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) confirming a learning disability
  • letter from a Consultant Paediatrician confirming a learning disability
  • letter from a Special School (from the list below) confirming a learning disability
  • Statement of Special Education Needs where this clearly states the child has a learning disability
  • Education, Health and Care Plan confirming a learning disability.
     

Special Schools

Children attending one of the 3 special schools listed below will automatically qualify for a bus pass and will need to provide proof of their attendance at one of these schools, together with proof of their home address and date of birth.  This evidence can be in the form of a letter from the school.

School Address Telephone
Cann Bridge School Miller Way, Estover, Plymouth, PL6 8UN 01752 207909
Millford Community Special School Rochford Crescent, Ernesettle, Plymouth, PL5 2PY 01752 300270
Woodlands School Picklecombe Drive, Off Tamerton Foliot Road, Whitleigh, Plymouth, PL6 5ES 01752 300101

Children attending one of the 3 special schools listed below may be eligible for a pass on the grounds of having a learning disability.  Applicants will need to provide a letter from the Headteacher which should confirm the child’s name, home address, date of birth and a short statement confirming that the child has a learning disability commensurate with the requirements  as set out in the concessionary travel legislation.

School Address Telephone
Brook Green Centre for Learning Bodmin Road, Whitleigh, Plymouth, PL5 4DZ 01752 773875
Courtlands School Widey Lane, Crownhill, Plymouth, PL6 5JS 01752 776848
Longcause Community Special School Longcause, Plympton, Plymouth, PL7 1JB 01752 336881

Mount Tamar School specialises in supporting children with social, emotional and mental health needs, these children may not meet the learning disability criteria. However, a child may still be entitled to a concessionary bus pass if they are able to provide evidence as listed above.

Unfit to drive for medical reasons

Would, if they applied for the grant of a licence to drive a motor vehicle under part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, have their application refused pursuant to Section 92 of that Act (physical fitness) otherwise than on the grounds of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol.

  • current disabled persons Blue Badge (Issued prior to 30 August 2019)
  • letter from DVLA giving notice of refusal or withdrawal of licence
  • letter on official paper from a medical professional listed below confirming a medical condition that would prevent the applicant from holding a driving licence
  • letter from Plymouth City Council’s Deputyship Team including Court Order and Council Tax Exemption
  • Independent Medical Assessment.
Condition Required evidence Medical professional
Epilepsy

Confirmation that applicant does not currently hold and would be refused a driving licence as a result of their epilepsy. I can also confirm that this is not a consequence of a misuse of drugs or alcohol.

Epilepsy Specialist Nurse

Consultant Neurologist
Severe Mental Disorder Confirmation that applicant does not hold and would be refused a driving licence if they chose to apply for one otherwise than on the grounds of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol

Consultant Psychiatrist

Livewell South West 

  • Consultant Psychiatrist
  • Community Mental Health Support Team
  • Community Mental Health Nurse
  • Speciality Doctor in Psychiatry
  • Community Forensic Team
  • Community Recovery Team.

Care home managed by Karlyon Care Ltd

  • Trenant & Balmain – must be a letter signed by Manager of the relevant Care Home.

Insight or Icebreak Team - The Zone

Plymouth City Council's Deputyship Team

Documents must include

  • a letter confirming customer is MUtD
  • a copy of the Court Order issued under the Mental Capacity Act appointing PCC as a deputy for property and affairs
  • a copy of the current year’s Council Tax Exemption Notice confirming the category of exemption as 'Exempt Class U'.
Restricted Visual Fields  Confirmation that applicant does not hold and would be refused a driving licence if they chose to apply for one due to their inability to read a registration plate in good light at 20.5 metres (with lenses if worn)

Optometrist
Consultant Ophthalmologist
Other medical conditions that would require the revocation or prevent the issue of a driving licence

Confirmation that applicant does not currently hold and has a medical condition that would render them unable to hold a driving licence if they chose to apply for one otherwise than on the grounds of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol

Consultant or Occupational Therapist specialising in the relevant field

Manager – Headway Plymouth (for those with acquired brain injury only)

We do not accept letters from Harbour Drug & Alcohol Service

Disabled Ex-Service Personnel

  • letter from the Service Personnel & Veterans Agency confirming War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement
  • decision letter from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme confirming tariff 1-8.

Evidence presented must be dated within the last 12 months.  If you do not have a letter confirming War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement you can contact Veterans UK on Freephone number 0808 1914 218 who will be able to provide you with this. 

Replacement passes

If you have a pass because of a disability, you can renew this two weeks before your current cards expiry date. 

If you have a pass because of your age you'll automatically receive a replacement pass about a week before your current pass expires.

Cancellation of bus passes

Your bus pass may be cancelled if:

  • We have received information that you have changed your address. Have you recently changed address?
  • Because the Council wrote to you asking for further proof of eligibility. Do you need to confirm your eligibility?
  • Because your bus pass was reported lost or stolen.
  • Your bus pass has not been used within the Plymouth city boundary within a period of 9 months prior to the expiry date of your current pass.

If your card is lost, stolen or damaged it costs £10 to replace it. Due to COVID-19 replacement passes can only be requested by calling 01752 668000 and making your payment by credit or debit card. Unfortunately we are not able to take cash or cheque payments at the present time.

A £10 charge will be required to replace all bus passes that have been sent to your previous address.

PDF icon Bus pass terms and conditions

Bus pass scheme details valid 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022

Bus pass scheme details valid 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023

Privacy Notice

PDF icon Concessionary Bus Pass Privacy Notice