Bus passes and concessionary travel

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme is administered locally by Leicestershire County Council for residents of the county and Leicester City Council for city residents.

What is concessionary travel?

Concessionary travel passes can be used by eligible older and disabled persons for free travel on local bus services in Leicester, Leicestershire and throughout England between 9:30am and 11pm on Monday to Friday and all day on weekends and bank holidays.

• Concessionary Pass holders travelling on Leicester and Leicestershire’s Park & Ride services PR1, PR2 and PR3 can travel for free at all times. 

When can I apply for a bus pass?

You can apply for a bus pass when you reach the State Pension Age. To find out more about eligibility for the scheme and to apply for a concessionary travel pass, please use the link below that is relevant to you.

• I am a resident of Leicestershire
• I am a resident of Leicester City

How do I use my bus pass?

To use your bus pass on local buses within England, show your pass to the driver as you get on. If the bus is fitted with a reader, touch the reader with your pass. You don’t need a ticket to travel, but on some services the driver may give you a zero-priced ticket to record their passenger numbers.

You can’t use your bus pass on services:

• where most seats can be reserved, like coaches

• that run for less than six weeks, like shuttle buses to special events

• for tourists, like open-top bus tours, or services on vehicles of historical interest

• that are running instead of a train – ‘rail replacement’ services

• where the fare includes ‘extras’, like refreshments or car parking. However, many coach operators offer half-price travel for older or disabled people. Ask the coach company for more information.