bus travel app scotland

Your personal travel assistant

The new and improved official app for lothian buses and edinburgh trams.

Live Departure Times

All of our buses and trams are tracked in real-time, which means you get up-to-the-minute predictions of when your bus or tram will arrive.

Save your favourites

Save your favourites stops, routes, trips and alarms and keep them for later - just tap on the Saved tab to see them all.

Service Update & Alerts

The app will let you know if there's any disruptions to your service, plus we can notify you even if the app is closed.

Live Progress

Track your bus or tram on a map - you can even share your progress with friends and family. It works even if they don't have the app.

You spoke, we listened

We collected your feedback and developed an app to make navigating our network even easier.

Smarter search

Now you can quickly find your destination - just start typing and we'll show you places, businesses and addresses that match your search. Not only that, but you can quickly search for routes or the bus you're on right now - simply type the service number to show all nearby buses that match.

Instant departures

We know most of our customers use the app when they're at a bus or tram stop - so we've made life easier with instant departures. As soon as you open the app, we'll show you departure times for the three nearest stops to you, plus if you tap on any stop on the map, we'll show you a mini departure board - perfect for comparing departure times from different stops.

Sat-nav for bus & tram

Wouldn't it be great if your phone could track you on your trip, and let you know when your bus or tram is arriving as you approach the stop, or tell you when its time to leave? With step-by-step instructions you can stay informed every step of the way.

Share your journey

You're on a bus or tram, and you want to let someone know when you'll arrive - easy! The Live Progress screen now gives you the option to share your trip - send others a message through text, email, Facebook, Twitter or WhatsApp and they can follow your journey in real-time.

Download the app

Available free for iPhone and Android

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Traveline Scotland 4+

Traveline scotland ltd.

• 2.3 • 102 Ratings

iPhone Screenshots

Description.

The award-winning FREE Traveline Scotland app provides comprehensive information to help plan your journey in Scotland. The app features: - A journey planner for public transport options between any two locations in Scotland, featuring all bus, coach, rail, Glasgow Subway, tram and ferry routes, - Departure boards showing next scheduled buses at every stop in Great Britain! Live bus times are shown in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, Angus, Ayrshire, Fife, Lothians, Scottish Borders, Inverness area and Orkney where available, - Live train departure times for all rail stations in Scotland, - Departure times also shown for Scottish ferry terminals and Glasgow Subway stations, together with local taxi details relevant to your location, - See full routes on the map, with all scheduled calling points and stop times displayed, - News & Notices affecting public transport services, - Cycle journey planner powered by CycleStreets, - Contact details for all Scottish public transport operators, For the strategic road network, the app provides direct access to Traffic Scotland. This section features: - Current trunk road incident information, - Live Camera views from motorway and trunk road cameras, - Current journey times for major routes, - Details of current and planned roadworks, - Regularly updated weather and planned events info. You can also listen to the latest live travel information on the Traffic Scotland Radio player.

Version 2.9.6

- New feature on 'Next Departures' shows how many seats are available on your bus. Available for participating bus operators in Glasgow, West of Scotland and Aberdeen city and shire. More areas and operators are being added regularly. Check travel info section for more details. - Improved journey planner layout - Other fixes and improvements - The app now ignores Dark Mode (while we work on supporting it properly). - More features coming soon.

Ratings and Reviews

102 Ratings

Unusable in Dark Mode

In the current version the app in completely unusable if you have your phone on Dark Mode. Black text on a back background and even more confusing in random sections white text on a white background. Basic design and usability errors in the UI really hinder what could be a really useful app.

Used to be good. Now inaccurate cr*p

This app is a necessity for anybody reliant on public transportation. It used to fine - reliable and accurate. Now in my area (Fife, Dundee) it has missing or in accurate information. The last time I asked the journey planner for a trip from Fife to Dundee, it suggested a 3 hour trip using bus and rail. In actuality, there was a 30 minute direct bus. Also, the bus times where I live are inaccurate in spite of alerting the company to this. The app is rubbish, and so apparently is the online site, so the database must be to blame. I've given up on traveline and now am using Google maps, which seems to have reasonably accurate information. Such a shame to see such a useful app turn to such rubbish. :(

App not good anymore

I like this app. It makes travel on public transport less stressful, when you have a guide of timetable and services To-and-fro. Foresight this app has it. Timetable accuracy is important 10 mins either way is close enough for me. Just knowing that there is going to be a bus train etc etc to be there roundabout the time stated. Delay no want can predict that. But this little app does what it says on the tin. Thanks Guys.

Developer Response ,

Sorry parts of our app were temporarily unavailable over the weekend. Our hosting supplier has fixed their systems, and everything should be back online now. If you'd like more info, please email [email protected]. Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience.

App Privacy

The developer, Traveline Scotland Ltd , has not provided details about its privacy practices and handling of data to Apple. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

No Details Provided

The developer will be required to provide privacy details when they submit their next app update.

Information

English, Danish, French, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese

• Developer Website
• App Support
• Privacy Policy

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Travel Made Simple

Go-hi is your one-stop shop for door to door travel across scotland's highlands and islands., download the free app for ios, android or register online:.

Go-Hi is your one-stop shop for door to door travel across the Highlands and Islands.

Manage and pay for all your journeys with one app

Go-Hi is the only app that allows you to find, book and pay for all your travel in and around the Highlands and Islands of Scotland in one place, saving you time and money.

A wide range of travel modes and services to choose from

Instant access to multiple travel providers in one place, including buses, trains, ferries, taxis, bike hire, car club, car hire, flights and hotels.

Go-Hi is free to download with a quick and simple sign-up process

Registering for a free Go-Hi account is quick and easy. Simply download the iOS or Android app in seconds and away you go!

Pay for your travel securely by debit card, credit card or PayPal

Paying for your trips is simple with Go-Hi’s flexible choice of secure payment options. All payments are managed securely via the app.

Discover a range of local services with the ‘Explore nearby’ feature

Quickly search for services near your location, including parking, restaurants, cafes, bars, petrol stations, EV stations and more.

Access to a dedicated customer support team to answer your queries

Our customer service team are on hand to answer any queries and help you manage your bookings using the in-app Concierge feature.

Personalise each of your journeys to suit your individual needs

Personalise your journeys based on the fastest, most economic, most comfortable or most eco-friendly travel options available.

A wide range of travel options to choose from

Say goodbye to all your existing travel apps and web tools, Go-Hi offers all the travel options you’ll ever need in one place.

The smartest way to travel in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland

Go-Hi’s Smart Journey Planner displays all suitable modes of transport for each journey, allowing you to compare mobility options effortlessly and select the most suitable way to travel.

Choose from a wide range of travel and transport options with a single app

Go-Hi’s multimodal capability allows you to choose from a range of different transport options in one app to get you from door-to-door with ease. It’s ideal if you need to book a taxi, bus or bicycle to get you to and from a train station, ferry port or airport. Hotel bookings can also be added to each journey.

Instant access to a growing network of local travel providers

A user-friendly travel app for hassle-free journey planning

Active travel options

Find healthier travel choices

Bus ticketing

Choose from daily, flexi, or weekly options

Discover travel

All options at your fingertips

Choose your service

See all options that are available

Fast lookup

Live travel timetable information

Plan journeys

Find the best travel modes

Purchase tickets

Choose from the usual options

Quick search

Find trains, bus, etc., quickly

See what’s near you

Quickly find suitable travel options

Here’s what our customers love about Go-Hi

Go-Hi is improving the way people travel around Scotland's Highlands and Islands, offering cheaper, healthier, greener and more convenient ways of getting from A to B.

“Chuffed with my new sustainable travel choices in Aviemore using the Go-Hi app. This week I’ve walked/biked to the shops, took the bus to work and hired Enterprise Car Club car for an essential trip, which wasn’t possible by public transport.”

“So much better to walk or bike for short journeys. Being a member of the car club has been a game-changer. Not owning a car is saving me hundreds of pounds a month.”

“Using Go-Hi is a lot easier than many people think and I find it a lot more enjoyable than jumping in the car all the time. Especially for the short runs into town for things.”

Download the free Go-Hi app and start your journey today

Privacy Overview

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Privacy Preference Center

Privacy preferences.

Download the app

Tap your NEC to get free bus travel

The Transport Scot Pass Collect App

Aged between 16 and 21 and already have an active NEC or Young Scot NEC? If you haven’t applied for a new card since January 2022, you can download your free bus travel using the Transport Scot Pass Collect app and get free travel right away.

Active cards are those received since 2016. They will have a long number next to the ITSO logo and, if there’s a date of birth shown, it will be highlighted with a pink strip. Please note, any NECs which are dedicated matriculation cards aren’t compatible with the app.

How to download the app

You can use the app with most smartphones and some tablets.

Download the Transport Scot Pass Collect App on the App Store or Google Play Store to add free bus travel your existing card.

To download and use the app you will need:

• to be connected to Wi-Fi, or have 3G, 4G or 5G network connection with good mobile signal
• an Android (version 6 or later) or iOS (version 6 or later) phone
• Near Field Communication (NFC) compatibility – this is the same function you use for mobile contactless payments and is usually available on newer smartphones

How to use the app

The app is simple and easy to use – just follow the instructions to read your card and download your free bus travel.

Watch this video from Young Scot for a useful step-by-step guide on how to use the app.

Video Transcript

Follow the steps in this video to add free bus travel to your Young Scot National Entitlement Card. You’ll need to have it handy and have the Transport Scot Pass Collect App downloaded.

• Open the app and click ‘Collect a young persons bus pass’.
• On the next screen click ‘Yes’.
• And then scroll down and click ‘Start Collection’.
• Now hold the back of the phone to the Young Scot NEC, as if you’re doing a contactless payment. It’s important to make sure you hold it in the right place – this is different depending on whether you have an Android or iOS phone. The correct place is usually at the top for iOS and in the middle for Android.
• Hold still until the app recognises your card.
• Go back the home screen and click ‘What’s on my card?’.
• Followed by ‘Press here to start’.
• This will show the free bus travel has been added onto the card.

Where to hold your card

When you place your card at the back of your phone to download your free bus travel – in the same way you would use contactless payment – remember to hold it at the top for iOS and in the middle for Android, as shown below.

Checking what is on your card

The app can also be used by anyone to ‘read’ an NEC or Young Scot NEC to see what smart travel concession products/entitlements are stored on the card.

There are a few different products which might come up when you read your card. For under 22s free bus travel, you should look for one or both of the following:

• Bus Pass (Y)
• Bus Pass (Y 16+)

If you do not see one or both of the above when you read your card, you don’t have free bus travel on your card. You may have other products stored on your card,  such as Bus ID (Y) which indicates this is a young person’s card – but it is not free bus travel.

If you’re eligible, you can use the app to collect free bus travel on to your card. Otherwise, you will need to apply for a new NEC with free bus travel.

Do you live in Orkney or Shetland?

If you live in Orkney or Shetland and are aged 16 – 18 or are part of the concessionary volunteer scheme, you may also see ferry vouchers as well as your bus pass.

Top tips and more information about the app

• The app is not personalised. This means you can use it to download someone else’s bus travel to their card – for example you could also help your friends download free bus travel onto their cards too – or use their app to download your own if your phone isn’t compatible.
• Please remember, only people aged 16 and over can use the app to download free bus travel on to an existing NEC or Young Scot NEC.
• The app doesn’t store any personal information. You can read the full app terms and conditions for more information.

If you’ve downloaded the app onto your phone but you’ve received an error message when using it, the message will provide details about what has gone wrong and tell you what to do next or who to contact. Check the error messages below to help.

If the information below and our Frequently Asked Questions don’t answer any queries you have about the app, or if you have issues using it, please contact us .

It looks like you’re offline

Check you are connected to the internet. If you’re connected via mobile network, check you have a strong signal.

The NFC (Near Field Communication) is disabled

If you have NFC, you may need to switch this on in your settings. NFC is the same service used for mobile contactless payment – you can check online or with your phone provider to see if your phone has this.

Card read but nothing to collect

Please remember you need to be aged 16-21 and already have an active card. You can check your card is active (this means it was received after 2016) by looking for a long number next to the ITSO logo and if your date of birth is on it, it will be highlighted with a pink strip.

If you have already applied for a new card, this means your application has nearly finished being processed and your new card will be with you soon.

If your card is active, and you have not already applied for a new card, please contact us as there may be an issue with your card.

Uh oh! Something went wrong, or we are busy

This message appears when there are too many people trying to collect travel entitlements at the same time. Please try again in a few minutes.

Remember to hold your card very still at the back of your phone. It’s important to place the card in the correct position, which is different depending on whether you have an Android or iOS phone. This correct position is usually at the top for iOS and in the middle for Android.

Oops that didn’t work – looks like your card is full

This message appears if you have lots of other travel tickets on your card. Please try again and if it still doesn’t work, please contact us .

Oops that didn’t work – we’re having trouble reading your card

This message usually appears if you have accidentally moved your card when holding it to the phone. Try again, holding your phone steady. If you have a cover on your phone, please try removing this as well.

If it doesn’t work again after doing this, get in touch with us in case there is something wrong with your card (please remember to check you are using an active NEC or Young Scot NEC first).

Oops that didn’t work – looks like your card is not supported by this app

This usually appears if you try and read a smartcard that is not an NEC or Young Scot NEC – for example, a ScotRail or Subway card.

There is no supported app for this NFC tag

This usually appears if you try and read a smartcard that is an old version of the NEC or Young Scot NEC. If you eligible to use the app and receive this message, you will need to apply for a new card. Find out how to apply for a new card.

Oops that didn’t work – looks like your card is expired

This usually appears when your card is no longer valid and means you will need to apply for a new card. Find out how to apply for a new card.

Check your card is active – this means it was received after 2016, it should have a long number next to the ITSO logo and if your date of birth is on it, it will be highlighted with a pink strip.

Oops that didn’t work – looks like your card is blocked

This usually appears when your card has already been replaced by a newer version. Please find your most recent card and use this instead. If you cannot find the newer version, you will need to apply for a new card. Find out how to apply for a new card.

Be part of Scotland's smart evolution

Two new smart ways to travel across scotland, free bus travel for children and young people under 22.

If you live in Scotland and are 5-21 years old you are eligible for a card giving you free bus travel. Children under 5 years old already travel for free on buses and don’t need a card.

Children and young people aged 5-21 years old will need a new or replacement National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot National Entitlement Card (Young Scot NEC) before hopping on board. Previously issued cards will not allow access to the scheme.

However, 16 to 21 year olds who already have an active NEC or Young Scot NEC issued prior to applications opening on 10 January 2022, can download free bus travel onto their existing card using the Transport Scot Pass Collect app . This means they will not need to apply for a new card to access  free bus travel.

Find out more about this at freebus.scot

ScotRail's range of smart M-Passes

ScotRail’s broad range of M-Passes offer the flexibility to traverse Scotland as you please with flexible and consecutive options through simply scanning the pass from your phone. Take in the stunning architecture in Edinburgh, the vibrant atmosphere of Glasgow or make your way up to the Highlands to capture the immensity of the Scottish landscape.

Find out more here

Technology is changing Scotland’s travel options

Your public transport networks are modernising with new digital ticketing and payment options.

Discover how your smart technology can make it even easier to get on board and travel around Scotland.

Smart payment

How does it work.

More choices, more providers

Smart gadgets that can be used for travel in Scotland include smartcards or mobile apps. These pre-load your smart tickets, then you tap or show-and-go.

Alternatively, many operators also accept contactless payment.

Choose your smart media

Load it up with tickets.

More locations, more smart

Discover where you can travel smart in Scotland.

Your public transport operators are joining forces with multi-mode, multi-operator smartzones also available in locations across the country.

More operators, more convenience

Smart travel is available on many public transport operators across Scotland. Check locations for services in your area or operators to see if your provider is smart enabled.

More journey info, less stress

Traveline is Scotland's national public transport information service - the 'one-stop' shop for all bus, rail, coach, air and ferry times in Scotland.

Traveline helps you plan the best route for your journey across multiple operators and multiple transport modes.

More choices, more benefits

Why go smart?

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Who can get an older persons bus pass

To get an older persons bus pass you must be:

• resident in Scotland

If you're under 60, you can apply:

• for a disabled persons bus pass , if you're disabled
• for a young persons bus pass , if you're under 22

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60+ or disabled

If you are over 60 or have a disability, you could be eligible for free bus travel to get around Scotland and your local area. You can access this via the National Entitlement Card, your pass to free bus travel in Scotland.

The National Entitlement Card scheme also allows for free travel for companions where required by eligible disabled people of any age (including children under 5).

How to apply

To apply for a National Entitlement Card, you should contact your local authority or Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) for details of the application process in your area. There may be a different process if applying on age grounds as opposed to grounds of disability. Your local authority will be able to tell you if you need to complete an application form and what you need to do when you apply.

We are unable to send out forms as these should be obtained from your local authority/council office. It is not possible to download forms from the website or send these by email.

In order to make the application process as smooth as possible, you will need:

• a completed application form (not all local authorities require this, check with yours to confirm the process in your area)
• a recent passport type photograph
• proof of age or disability
• proof of your current address

Check the National Entitlement Card website for more information on proofs required to confirm your identity and address.

If applying on grounds of disability, check the eligibility section on the Transport Scotland website for more information on proofs required.

Objectives and benefits

The scheme provides free travel on registered local and long-distance bus services throughout Scotland, at any time of day for any number of journeys, for those aged 60 and over, as well as for eligible disabled people who live in Scotland.

Cardholders living in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles receive two free return ferry journeys each year to the Scottish mainland.

The key objectives of the concessionary travel scheme are to:

• allow older and disabled people, improved access to services, facilities and social networks, promoting social inclusion
• improve health by promoting a more active lifestyle for the elderly and disabled
• remove the restrictions of the previous local off-peak concessionary fare scheme which was limited in offering access to facilities
• promote a modal shift from private cars to public transport
• maintain a viable position for bus operators with a standard reimbursement rate
• provide opportunities for improvements to public transport, such as assisting development of multi-operator ticketing and the use of electronic ticket machine technology
• facilitate a more effective administration of the system by adopting a standard reimbursement rate and shifting operational responsibility from local authorities to Transport Scotland
• provide a stimulus to the introduction of smart ticketing

Where can I travel?

Almost everywhere in Scotland and as far as Carlisle and Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Your National Entitlement Card gives you free travel throughout Scotland on nearly all local registered and long-distance scheduled bus services. Only a few services, such as premium-fare night buses and City Sightseeing buses, do not accept the card.

So many of Scotland's major towns and cities are easily accessible with the National Entitlement Card. Use the Visit Scotland website to find out how you can reach some of the country's best attractions by bus.

Some local authorities offer other discounts on rail, tram or subway for their card-holders. Your card-issuing Local Authority can tell you more – a contact number can be found on the back of your card when you receive it.

Using your card

You can use your National Entitlement Card to get a ticket in advance or on the bus. Advance tickets must be collected in person.

When you get on the bus, look for the electronic ticket machine by the door to the driver's compartment. Place your card on the machine with your photograph facing up and tell the driver your stop. The driver will help you if you need assistance. If there isn't a ticket machine like this, just show the driver your card and tell them your stop.

Remember you can only use your most recently issued National Entitlement Card on the bus. Any other cards will not work and you will not be allowed free bus travel.

If the electronic ticket machine did not recognise your card it may have expired or be damaged. If this is the case, please contact your Local Authority immediately to arrange a new card. You should allow at least two weeks to receive your card. If this will take longer, your local council will tell you about this when you apply.

If the card appears to be valid but does not work on the machine, the driver will give you the option to pay the full fare and keep your card or hand over your card in exchange for a seven day temporary pass. The temporary pass will be valid for free travel for you but the companion element will not be available. You should then contact your Local Authority immediately to request a new card. You should allow at least two weeks to receive your card. If this will take longer, your local council will tell you about this when you apply.

Eligibility

Over 60s eligibility.

To be eligible for the NEC, you must be:

• Aged 60 or older
• A resident of Scotland

Disabled people eligibility

If you're a resident in Scotland and meet one of the following criteria, you're entitled to free bus travel with the National Entitlement Card:

• You receive a qualifying DWP benefit - Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, War Pension Constant Attendance Allowance, or the  higher  rate of the mobility component or the  higher or middle  rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance.
• You receive a qualifying Social Security Scotland benefit - Pension Age Disability payment, Adult Disability Payment, or receive the higher rate of the mobility component or the higher or middle rate of the care component of Child Disability Payment.

When applying you will need to take along a copy of your benefit award letter from the DWP or Social Security Scotland confirming your eligibility.  The letter must be dated within the last 18 months and confirm the length of benefit entitlement. For details on getting your award letter, please contact the DWP or Social Security Scotland. 

• You live in a care/residential home or hospital and are eligible for Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Adult Disability Payment, Pension Age Disability Payment or the higher or middle rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance or Child Disability Payment. In many cases a DWP or Social Security Scotland benefit may be suspended whilst someone is in care or hospital – in that case you can provide a letter from the hospital/care home confirming that you are eligible for one of the above benefits, you live there, and receive 24 hour care.
• You are a Blue Badge holder . Take your Blue Badge, or your latest V11 vehicle licensing reminder from DVLA or DLA404 from the Department for Work and Pensions when you apply for your card. Please note that a valid Blue Badge issued outside Scotland, in the rest of the UK or by the authorities of another EU member state will be acceptable.
• You are profoundly or severely deaf . Take along a recent letter from your Audiologist, Hospital Consultant or Registered Society for the Deaf when you apply. The letter must show that you have bilateral hearing loss greater than or equal to 70dBHLs averaged over 1, 2 and 4KHz. If you have been deaf since birth, a letter from your GP confirming this is fine too.
• You have a sight impairment . If you are aged 16 and over you will need to provide a copy of  the Certificate of Vision (CVI) Scotland form.  As of 1 April 2018 the CVI Scotland form replaced the previous BP1 form.

If you are aged under 16 you should provide a letter from a VINCYP team member Visual Impairment Network for Children and Young People . You can also provide a letter from a health professional such as an ophthalmologist or paediatrician which states that you ‘meet the criteria for visual impairment as defined by VINCYP'. In addition, parents / carers of children and young people under 16 with a visual impairment may be able to use letters from other registered societies or voluntary sector organisations supporting people with sight loss (where they are happy to provide such a letter).

• You have been told not to drive based on medical grounds . Take the DVLA confirmation letter as evidence when you apply showing that your licence has been revoked or your application has been refused on medical grounds. If you have epilepsy and been told not to drive because you have had a seizure in the last 12 months, you should use the NCT003 certificate. The NCT003 certificate is only valid where the applicant is 16yrs and over (the earliest date they can apply for a provisional licence). Collect the certificate from your Local Authority and ask your Hospital Consultant, GP or Epilepsy Specialist Nurse to sign. For other medical conditions where you have been told you would not be allowed to drive and if you were to apply for a licence, would be refused, you may be able to provide a recent letter from your GP or Hospital Consultant depending on your circumstances to confirm this. For further information, please check with your local authority.
• You have a mental health condition that is recognised under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 and has lasted for more than a year. You must need to travel to health or social care appointments as part of treatment activities, care or a rehabilitation programme. Your ability to travel must also be impaired. Please contact your Local Authority for advice on how and where to apply using the NCT002 form.
• If you have a learning disability and you need to travel to see a Support Worker or get to appointments or activities you will need to get a NCT002a form. Read our guide on how to apply
• Please note: The BASRiS form will replace the DS1500 for Scotland's new forms of Disability Assistance
• Read Social Security Scotland’s guide on when to complete a BASRiS form
• You have a progressive degenerative condition . Conditions such as Parkinson's Disease that severely impede your mobility may entitle you to free bus travel. Ask your hospital consultant or other specialist medical professional who is responsible for providing any treatment and support (such as your Specialist Nurse), to provide a letter confirming that your diagnosed health condition is considered ‘progressive degenerative' and that it severely impedes your mobility and ability to carry out day to day activities. Any letter from a medical professional must clearly confirm these qualifying criteria otherwise it cannot be accepted.
• You have lost one or more limbs . If you have lost one or both legs, both arms or an arm and a leg you are entitled to free bus travel. Request a letter from your prosthetic clinic/centre, physiotherapist or rehabilitation centre for your application.
• You are an injured veteran with mobility problems. Provide a Veterans UK or Ministry of Defence letter certifying award of lump sum payment within Tariff levels 1-8 under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme , or provide a letter from Veterans UK or Ministry of Defence certifying award of a lump sum payment due to a permanent and substantial disability causing inability to walk or considerable difficulty in walking.
• You receive a War Pensioner Mobility Supplement. Please provide a letter from Veterans UK or Ministry of Defence confirming receipt of this benefit in your application.

The National Entitlement Card scheme also allows for free travel for one companion where required by an eligible disabled person of any age (including children under 5).

Companions can make travel much easier, helping you to get on and off buses, carrying shopping and communicating with the driver. You can stay free and mobile, while making full use of your NEC.

Companions can travel for free with all NEC holders that have the +1 logo on their card.

Your companion and journey can vary, but your companion can only travel for free when they are with you. You are not obliged to travel with a companion, but the entitlement is there for when you need it.

Please note that companions must be aged 5 or over .

Your companion is entitled to travel for free if you meet one of the following criteria:

• You live in a care/residential home or hospital and are eligible for Attendance Allowance, the higher or lower rate of the daily living component of the Personal Independence Payment or the higher or middle rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance. In many cases DWP benefit may be suspended whilst someone is in care or hospital – in that case you can provide a letter from the hospital/care home confirming that you are eligible for one of the above benefits, live there and receive 24 hour care.
• You live in a care/residential home or hospital and are eligible for the higher or middle rate of the care component of the Child Disability Payment or are eligible for the standard or enhanced rate of the daily living component of the Adult Disability payment or are eligible for the Pension Age Disability Payment. In many cases Social Security Scotland benefit may be suspended whilst someone is in care or hospital – in that case you can provide a letter from the hospital/care home confirming that you are eligible for one of the above benefits, you live there and receive 24 hour care.
• You receive the higher or middle rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance
• You receive the higher or lower rate of daily living component of Personal Independence Payment
• You receive Attendance Allowance
• You receive the Child Disability Payment – higher or middle rate of the care component.
• You receive Pension Age Disability Payment
• You receive Adult Disability Payment – standard or enhanced rate of the daily living component
• You are severely sight impaired (blind)
• You receive war pensions constant attendance allowance

If you receive one of the qualifying benefits you'll need a letter to confirm your eligibility. The letter must be dated within the last 18 months and confirm the length of benefit entitlement. For details on getting your letter, please contact the DWP or Social Security Scotland. If you live in a care or residential home or hospital and your qualifying benefit is suspended a letter from them is needed confirming that you are eligible for the benefit, you live there and receive 24 hour care.

If you are severely sight impaired (blind), please provide a copy of your registration certificate - CVI Scotland form if aged 16 or over.  If aged under 16, you must provide a letter from VINCYP/medical professional or other registered society or voluntary sector organisation stating that you have a severe sight impairment that has been confirmed by an ophthalmologist or paediatrician.

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme

If you are a disabled veteran, you could qualify for free travel with a National Entitlement Card.

You will qualify if you have received a lump sum benefit under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme within tariff levels 1 - 8 (inclusive) and the Secretary of State certifies that you have a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.

You will need to produce a certification letter from Veterans UK. You will also qualify under the same criteria if your injuries do not hinder your mobility but the injury can be cross referenced to the descriptors within the AFCS Injuries Table as detailed below.

Getting and using your card

When you get your card.

Please check that the photograph and personal details on your new card are correct. If any are not, or if this card is for someone who is no longer at the address, telephone the number on the back of the card to report this. If your new card replaces an existing card,  you need to start using it immediately and destroy any old cards you have as these will not work on the ticketing machines.

Using the card

Your card has been issued to give you free bus travel throughout Scotland under the concessionary travel scheme. In some areas your card may get you discounts on other modes of transport depending on where you live.  For information and advice on local non-bus concessions you should phone the number on the back of your card. It is possible to book in advance with your National Entitlement Card but you may incur a booking fee. Some bus operators may waive the fee, check before you book.

This card has been issued to you and should only be used by the eligible person named on the card. It is for your safekeeping and it should not be given to anyone else. Transport Scotland has a fraud policy and any person(s) found to be misusing any aspect of the scheme may have their entitlement to free bus travel withdrawn and incidents of misuse may also be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

Cardholders also have a duty to report any changes of circumstances which may affect their entitlement, including changes of address, to the local authority. Check the back of your card for the right number.

You can use your card on any local or long-distance registered bus service throughout Scotland, excluding late night services where a premium fare is charged, tours or excursion services and group hire services.

Full details of the NEC terms and conditions

Travel using a National Entitlement Card is subject to the normal regulations and conditions of carriage of each transport operator. Your card gives you the same rights as a full-fare paying passenger.

Tickets for Concessionary Bus Travel

The National Concessionary Travel Scheme legislation does not require paper tickets to be issued to cardholders for concession journeys. The issuing of paper tickets to passengers is an operational decision at the discretion of the bus operator.

When a National Entitlement Card is placed on the ticket machine this will automatically record the boarding stage, to receive reimbursement for the journey the driver must accurately record the requested destination stage. Whilst this information forms the record of this journey, all concession claims undergo comprehensive audit compliance and analysis checks before any reimbursement is made.

Concerns of misuse of the Concessionary Travel Schemes should be reported to our 24-hour dedicated Freephone line 0800 328 5690. If you have any other questions about concessionary bus travel, please email us at [email protected]

Travel outwith Scotland

Your National Entitlement Card is valid for services that operate wholly within Scotland or northern England only, you can use it on services to and from Carlisle and on services to and from Berwick-upon-Tweed from anywhere in Scotland, however, your card is not valid for travel within these towns or anywhere else out with Scotland.

Please note, National Express services operating in Scotland unfortunately do not meet this criteria as they do not operate wholly within Scotland or Northern England, as such, they do not accept National Entitlement Cards on their services. National Express previously allowed concession cardholders to travel for free covering the costs themselves, however, in 2019 they made a business decision to remove this provision and Transport Scotland cannot influence their company operational decisions.

Lost, stolen and damaged cards

If your card is lost, stolen or damaged you should contact your Local Authority to request a replacement. This applies to all cardholders whether your card is issued on grounds of age or disability.

If you change address, phone the number on the back of your card to let your card issuer know. However, if you move to another Local Authority to live you must also let the new authority know.

For any questions please contact the number printed on the back of your card.

Renewing and replacing cards

Contact your Local Authority or Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) Travel Card Unit if:

• your National Entitlement Card is lost, stolen or damaged
• the card did not work when you used the ticket machine
• you want to change your name, address or photo

Your National Entitlement Card may have an expiry date on the front. If you're 60 or over, your new card won’t have an expiry date on it and is valid for life, providing you continue to live in Scotland.

If you have a card on grounds of disability, it will have an expiry date - your local authority may be in touch 4-6 weeks before the card runs out. If you don't hear from them, or need assistance renewing your card, contact them directly. Please note that SPT no longer send out renewal forms to cardholders. You should provide an acceptable proof of eligibility document at least five weeks before the card expires to allow time for this to be processed and a new card to be issued.

If you apply to renew a card for Disabled Concessionary Travel before the expiry date, your previous card will stop working a few days after your new card is processed so please start using your new card as soon as it arrives and destroy your old card.

Concessionary travel contacts

Your local authority can provide further information on the eligibility criteria, offer advice on the application process and how to report lost or stolen cards and vouchers.

• Contact telephone numbers and links to local authority websites

General enquiries

For general information on the concessionary travel scheme for those aged 60 and over and disabled people, or if there's anything you're not sure about, contact:

Concessionary Travel and Smart and Integrated Ticketing, Transport Scotland, George House, 2nd Floor, 36 North Hanover Street, Glasgow, G1 2AD.

Email: [email protected]   

Policy and legislation

Agreements with the bus industry.

Transport Scotland and the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) agreed terms in January 2019 setting budgets and reimbursement rates to operators under the Scotland-wide Free Bus Travel Scheme for Older and Disabled People for 2019-2020.

Building on agreements reached in 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2018, the new agreement ensures bus operators continue to be fairly reimbursed for carrying passengers under the scheme and safeguards free bus travel for older and eligible disabled people living in Scotland.

Similar to the 2013 agreement, changes were required to the legislation underpinning the scheme. Amended legislation detailing changes to the budget and reimbursement rates to operators  came into force on 1 April 2019.

Under 5s Extension to Disabled Companion Concessionary NECs

Transport Scotland has extended the existing Scotland-wide Free Bus Travel Scheme to disabled children under 5.

The Scottish Parliament passed legislation, on 3 March 2021, that extends the existing National Concessionary Travel Scheme (NCTS) to eligible disabled children under the age of five, allowing free bus travel for them and an accompanying companion.

This new entitlement is available from 1 April 2021.

2019 Agreement with the Bus Industry

• Transport Scotland agreement letter to CPT
• CPT agreement letter to Transport Scotland
• The National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Scotland) Amendment Order 2019

Past agreements

2018 agreement with the bus industry.

• The National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Scotland) Amendment Order 2018

2017 Agreement with the Bus Industry

• (Draft) The National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Scotland) Amendment Order 2017

2015 Agreement with the Bus Industry

• CPT agreement response to Transport Scotland
• The National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Amendment) Scotland Order 2015

2013 Agreement with the Bus Industry

• CPT response to Transport Scotland
• The National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Scotland) Amendment Order 2013 from 1 April 2013

Background to the scheme

In 2004, the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) and the Scottish Executive committed to an unrestricted scheme providing free bus travel for people living in Scotland aged 60 and over, as well as eligible disabled people. The process is documented in the agreement letter from the Scottish Executive and the response from the CPT.

• Scottish Executive agreement letter to CPT
• Agreement response from CPT

In 2005, a public consultation exercise followed these initial agreements. The consultation asked questions that covered topics such as proposed eligibility criteria and technical aspects of the scheme.

Following on from the consultation and stakeholder discussions, the Scottish Executive prepared two Scottish Statutory Instruments that underpinned the terms of the scheme. These were approved by the Scottish Parliament and came into force from 1 April 2006.

• SSI 2006/107 - The National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Scotland) Order 2006
• SSI 2006/117 - The National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Eligible Persons and Eligible Services) (Scotland) Order 2006

Changes to legislation for welfare reform

As part of the UK Government’s welfare benefit reforms Disability Living Allowance has been replaced by Personal Independence Payment. Receipt of certain components and rates of Disability Living Allowance are included in the eligibility criteria for the concessionary travel scheme.

To mitigate the effects of these reforms and ensure that eligible disabled people continue to have access to the scheme, the Scottish Government extended the scheme’s eligibility criteria to include recipients of Personal Independence Payment. The changes to the eligibility criteria are set out in legislation which came into force on 8 April 2013 and are described below:

• The extension of the eligibility criteria to include Personal Independence Payment maintains access to concessionary travel for eligible disabled people in Scotland.
• All recipients of Personal Independence Payment (or PIP) are eligible for concessionary travel and all recipients of the Daily Living component of PIP will be eligible to receive a companion card (enabling a companion to travel free with them).
• If when reassessed for PIP you find you are not eligible for that benefit, you are able to continue using your concessionary travel card until its expiry date.

Passenger feedback

Following an Audit Scotland review in 2010, Transport Scotland commissioned research in 2012 to gather feedback and develop an understanding of the views of older and disabled people who are eligible and have applied to access the Scotland-wide Free Bus Travel scheme.

The research project, by Research Resource and ODS Consulting, took place over two years (2013-2014), with telephone surveys of over 3,000 representative NEC holders in each year to collect feedback, alongside a series of focus groups.

Card holders were asked about:

• their use of the NEC in daily travel
• the value they placed on the NEC
• their views on misuse or abuse of the scheme
• the difference the scheme made to their lives

The findings, documented below, are being used to inform and improve the scheme.

• In 2014, 99% of respondents stated that they were either very or fairly satisfied with the scheme overall. Satisfaction with bus travel generally was also high with over 9 in 10 respondents (93%) expressing satisfaction when travelling by bus.
• There was also evidence that the Scheme is encouraging modal shift, with 41% stating that they use the car less. It is also encouraging some cardholders to walk more to and from bus stops.
• 48% of respondents said they now make journeys that they would not previously have made.
• For respondents with a Disabled or Visual Impairment card, the provision of independence was a key benefit. Younger participants in particular, felt that having the card gave them the opportunity to get out and about without relying on parents or carers for support.
• The research confirmed the Scotland-wide Free Bus Travel Scheme is greatly valued and works well for card holders for a number of reasons including financial savings, reducing isolation, engendering a sense of greater independence and increasing confidence in their own ability to travel.
• The research highlighted how cardholders perceive the scheme as having improved their mental and physical well-being.

For full feedback, you can read the reports below.

The findings from the year one research can be found on the Customer Feedback Research - Year One Report and from year two on the Customer Feedback Research - Year Two Report .

Concessionary travel privacy policy

This Privacy Policy outlines how we use, store and share the personal information we hold about you in connection with our national concessionary travel schemes.