Bus passes
Information on the national concessionary bus pass scheme which offers free nationwide off-peak travel on local buses in England.
Hertsmere Borough Council works with other local authorities in the County to provide the Concessionary Travel Scheme for Hertfordshire.
- The National Bus Concession (inc changes to qualifying age from April 2010)
- Who can apply?
- How to apply?
- Can I apply before I am eligible?
- Using your pass
- What to do if your details change
- What to do if you lose your pass or it is stolen
- Rail Travel
- Further information
The National Bus Concession
The national concessionary bus pass travel scheme came into effect on 1 April 2008. The scheme entitles those qualifying to free off-peak travel on all local buses anywhere in England.
From 6th April 2010 the Government has changed the age of eligibility for concessionary bus travel in line with the changes announced to the state pension age. This means tying the age of eligibility for the bus pass to the pensionable age for women. So, as the pensionable age for women gradually increases from 60 to 65 from 2010 to 2020, so the age of eligibility for the bus pass increases for both men and women.
Until pensionable age is equalised between the sexes in 2020, men will continue to become eligible for a concessionary bus pass when they reach the pensionable age of a woman born on the same day.
These changes will not impact on anyone already in possession of a bus pass. They only apply to those due to turn 60 on or after 6th April 2010.
Here is an image of a Hertsmere Borough Council smartcard format bus pass:
Who is eligible for the free nationwide bus pass?
The pass is available to permanent residents of Hertsmere who, on or after 6th April 2010:
- For women – have reached state pensionable age,
- For men - have reached the state pensionable age of a woman born on the same day.
(Click here for more information about finding your state pensionable age)
Or who have one of the following disabilities:
- Blind or partially sighted
- Profoundly or severely deaf, without natural speech
- Severe walking difficulties (a substantial and long-term adverse affect on their ability to walk)
- Does not have arms or has long-term loss of the use of both arms
- Has had a learning disability since childhood, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning
- Driving licence refusal due to a medical condition (except in the case of drugs or alcohol misuse)
- Severe mental health problems
-
Severe learning difficulties from birth
Where and when can I travel with the free nationwide bus pass?
The national scheme allows pass holders free off-peak bus travel on local bus services anywhere within England (it does not cover travel in Scotland and Wales). This means week days after 9.30am and weekends and bank holidays.
Within Hertfordshire,Bedfordshire and London though, pass holders are offered free travel anytime of the day without restriction.
Conditions of use may vary in other areas of the country so you may wish to check other authority areas before planning your journey.
Can I use long distance coaches such as National Express?
The scheme does not include scheduled long distance coach services such as National Express. The scheme is aimed at offering free travel on local busses. If you are unsure whether a service is 'local' then please contact the operator before travelling.
Where do I get my new pass?
Please contact the Bus Pass Team on 020 8207 7408 or email buspass@hertsmere.gov.uk.
Will I have to pay?
No. The passes will be issued free of charge but you may have to pay for a replacement if you lose your pass.
Is there a limit on how many journeys I can make?
No. The new scheme allows you to travel off-peak (although there is no time restriction within Hertfordshire) on local buses as far and as much as you like. However, conditions of use may vary in other areas so you may want to check before you travel.
Where can I find out more information about the scheme?
Visit the Department for Transport website which has more more details on the concessionary bus pass scheme. 
How can I apply?
For all permit applications:
Applications must be made in person at any of the following offices:
The Civic Offices, Elstree Way, Borehamwood. T: 020 8207 7408 Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm Potters Bar area office, The Wyllyotts Centre, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar. T: 01707 652 406Monday to Friday 9.30am to 2pm Bushey area office, Bushey Community Centre, High Street, Bushey. T: 020 8386 4048Monday to Friday 9.30am to 2pm Radlett Centre, Aldenham Avenue, Radlett. Tel: 01923 856 433Monday to Friday 9.30am to 12 noonIf you no longer need your pass, please return it to us.
You must bring with you:
Photographs: A recent colour photograph, passport style and size. Please write your name and post code clearly on the back of the photograph.
AND
Proof of age: You must include a copy of one of the following:
- Birth certificate
- Pension book
- Passport
- Driving licence
If you move out of the district, you must return the pass to us and apply to your new local council.
AND
Proof of address: You must include a copy of one of the following:
- Utility bill (for example a gas or electricity bill)
- Driving licence
- Council tax bill.
If you move, contact us immediately so any further passes can be sent to the correct address.
Proof of disability: If you are registered blind or partially sighted please provide a letter or card from Hertfordshire County council showing your registration number.
If you are applying due to a disability, please contact us immediately as below so we can send you an application form which you must take to your GP so they can certify your condition. Once you have done this please bring the form to either the Civic Offices or to one of the area offices as shown above.
If you require any further information, please contact us on 020 8207 7408 or by email at buspass@hertsmere.gov.uk.
Can I apply before I am eligible to receive a pass ?
We can accept your application up to a fortnight before you are eligible to receive a pass. Please note, though, that we will only be able to process your application on the closest processing day to your date of eligibility. Your pass will then be sent by post to you as soon as possible thereafter.
Using your pass
When you get on a bus, show your pass to the driver (or conductor).
You must keep your pass with you throughout your journey and show it to anyone who identifies themselves as a bus inspector.
What to do if you lose your pass or if it is stolen
If you lose your pass, please notify us immediately. A charge of £5 will be made to reissue you with a replacement. The new pass will be sent to you within 10 working days of receiving payment. Please make cheques payable to Hertsmere Borough Council.
If your pass is stolen, please report this to us together with a crime reference number from the police. We will issue you with a replacement within ten working days.
What to do if your details change
- Please contact us on 020 8207 7408 or email buspass@hertsmere.gov.uk.
- If you move, contact us immediately so any further passes can be sent to the correct address.
- If you move out of the district, you must return the pass to us and apply to your new local council.
- If you no longer need your pass, please return it to us.
Rail travel
Half-rate rail travel on First Capital Connect
Bus permit holders can obtain a 50% discount on First Capital Connect cheap day return fares for any journey between Bedford and Elstree and Borehamwood or travelling between Hadley Wood to Sandy (Beds) (including Crews Hill to Royston) after 10am on weekdays and anytime at weekends and on bank holidays. This concession is not avlailable for season tickets or with other discount offers (e.g. senior citizen rail cards). Children travelling with permit holders pay £2 only.
Discounted tickets may be bought from any staffed ticket office (or ticket vending machines by purchasing a CHILD ticket). They are not available on-line.
A discounted ticket to Elstree & Borehamwood / Hadley Wood / Crews Hill may be combined with an undiscounted ticket (including a Travelcard) from those stations. However, the train must stop at Elstree & Borehamwood / Hadley Wood / Crews Hill for such a combination of tickets to be valid. A combination of tickets is not valid on fast trains which do not stop at Elstree & Borehamwood / Hadley Wood / Crews Hill.
A copy of First Capital Connect's Concessionary Fares Scheme factsheet can be downloaded here.
Further enquiries regarding times of trains and/or cost of journey should be referred to National Rail Enquiries - Tel: 08457 484950.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
The Department for Transport website contains a section of the most frequently asked questions relating to concessionary travel.
If you require any further information from Hertsmere Borough Council, please contact us on 020 8207 7408 or by email at buspass@hertsmere.gov.uk.