How long is free bus travel in Scotland?

Every 5-21 year old living in Scotland for more than 6 months of the year can travel for free by bus if they have a valid National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot National Entitlement Card (Young Scot NEC). If you are 5-15 years old, your parent or guardian must apply for you.



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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.

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The card gives holders free bus travel in Scotland and, through the Strathclyde Concessionary Travel Scheme, reduced fares on trains and Subway in the Strathclyde area. If you live on an island or peninsula within Strathclyde you can also receive reduced ferry fares with a Strathclyde Concessionary Travel Ferry Card.

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2.10 Bus pass holders travel for free. Travel through the national scheme is paid for directly by the Scottish Government. It is a principle of the Scheme that operators should be no better and no worse off as a result of their participation.

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Figures seen by the Scottish Daily Express show that the SNP-led government spent £102,378,600.88 on the Young Persons' Free Bus Travel Scheme between January 31 2022 and February 3 2023.

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You need to bring your National Entitlement Card (which you might also know as your Young Scot Card, saltirecard or bus pass) with you when you travel. Ferry staff will check you have a valid card and voucher when you travel and will check the date of birth on your card.

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The green 'L' symbol is there to indicate that you may be entitled to other concessions in your local area. If you are between the ages of 11-25 you can also apply to have the Young Scot branding on your disabled National Entitlement Card.

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In Scotland, all people with a disability, and those aged 60 and over are entitled to a National Entitlement Card. Depending on people's circumstances, and the region in which they live, this Entitlement Card can give access to a concessionary fare, or free train travel.

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Carlisle and Berwick-upon-Tweed travel Your NEC is valid on services to and from Carlisle and on services to and from Berwick-upon-Tweed from anywhere in Scotland.

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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.

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Trams. You can travel for free on Edinburgh trams if the City of Edinburgh Council issued your bus pass. You cannot use bus passes issued by other councils on tram services, unless you are blind or visually impaired.

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You can get an older person's bus pass when you reach State Pension age, which is currently 66 for both women and men. If you're 60 or over and live in London, then you can get free travel on buses, trains and other modes of transport in and around London with a 60+ London Oyster photocard.

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Where can I use my bus pass? Your bus pass is valid for use on all registered Bus services within England, so if you are visiting other places you should be able to use your pass. It is not valid in Wales* or Scotland.

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