National Concessionary Bus Pass Scheme

Bus Pass Application Process

The scheme entitles people of an eligible age (for a woman this means pensionable age, for a man this means pensionable age of a woman born on the same day) and disabled people who qualify, to free off-peak travel on all local buses anywhere in England.

The duties and powers to administer the concessionary bus pass scheme transferred to Oxfordshire County Council on 1 April 2011. However, from the 1 April 2011 until 31 March 2012 Oxford City Council will continue to administer the concessionary bus pass scheme on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council. More information about these changes can be found below.

For full details of the scheme, please visit our National Concessionary Bus Passes Frequently Asked Question page.

How do I apply for a concessionary bus pass?

Please supply the completed application form below and documentary evidence in person to St Aldate's Chambers or Templars Square Customer Service Centres. Postal applications are not accepted.

 Concessionary Bus Pass Application Form and Criteria (175kB PDF) 

You can get a concessionary bus pass if you are of eligible age, or are disabled, and your main residence is in the Oxford City Council boundaries.

The Government has decided that from 6 April 2010, the age of eligibility for concessionary travel for women will be pension age and for men it will be the pensionable age of a woman born on the same day. Visit our Change in Age of Eligibility page for full details.

A full list of dates for age eligibility can be found in the document below:

Dates of Eligibility for Concessionary Bus Passes (262kB PDF)

You will NOT be entitled to a bus pass if:

• Your main residence is outside of Oxford
• You have a second home in Oxford which you do not occupy permanently or
• You have a visa limiting your stay in the UK, where you have no recourse to public funds.

To get your pass you should complete the form above, print and sign it, and then bring it along to one of our Customer Service Centres listed below in person with the correct supporting documents:

• St Aldate's Chambers (opposite the Town Hall) 
• 2/3 Bank Court, Templars Square Shopping Centre, Cowley.

Applications cannot be made by post.

To get your bus pass, you will need to bring the following supporting documents with you when you make your application:

1. Proof of where you permanently live, e.g. gas, electricity or phone bill (dated in the last three months), driving licence, Council Tax bill, tenancy agreement, Benefits Agency letter, NHS medical card. You may need to provide more than one form of evidence proving your address.
2. Proof of your age, e.g. current passport, birth certificate, or documentation from the Department for Work and Pensions that shows your date of birth.
3. If you are applying on grounds of disability, you will need to provide supporting evidence showing that you fall into one or more of eight disability categories.
4. A combined disabled and companions pass is available to any disabled groups who cannot travel independently because of serious disability. You will need to provide a letter from your GP, specialist, Social Services or relevant professional organisation confirming your disability and that you are unable to travel alone due to your disability.

Conditions of use for these passes include:

• New passes are valid for up to 4 years from issue (see expiry date on the pass, re-apply as appropriate).
• You will be charged full fare if you travel before 9am on weekdays (there is no charge over the weekend which runs from 0000 Saturday to 2359 Sunday and Bank Holidays).
• You must show your pass to the driver on each journey by placing your card photo side up on the bus card readers.
• If you lose your bus pass there is a charge of £10 for a replacement.

To find out more, contact our Customer Service Team on 01865 249811 between 8.30am and 6.00pm Monday to Friday or email: customerservices@oxford.gov.uk.

Conditions of use may vary in other areas of the country so you may wish to check other authority areas before planning your journey.

National Travel information

Visit the Traveline website or telephone: 0871 200 2233

Administrative Changes from 1 April 2011

Until 1 April 2011 Oxford City Council administered a Mandatory Travel Concession Scheme and a Discretionary Travel Concession Scheme in the Oxford area. The duties and powers to administer these schemes transferred to Oxfordshire County Council on 1 April 2011.

Oxfordshire County Council has made arrangements with the Oxford City Council (pursuant to Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972 and Section 19 of the Local Government Act 2000) for the discharge of the delegated functions to Oxford City Council as agent of the County Council.

This means that for the period from 1 April 2011 until 31 March 2012 Oxford City council will continue to administer the concessionary bus pass scheme on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council.

From 1 April 2011 you will notice that the Bus passes issued to customers in the City Of Oxford are branded with Oxfordshire County Council logos and contact details.

Privacy

This authority is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes. For further information, see our Privacy and Disclaimer page.

Page last reviewed 31 January 2012