Older or disabled persons bus pass
If you live in England and are of retirement age or an eligible disabled person, you are entitled to an English National Concessionary Bus Pass. Essex residents who are applying for an older persons or disabled persons bus pass for the first time may apply to Essex County Council.
You can find the following on this web page:
You can apply by either:
- Downloading an application form for older persons or disabled persons bus pass at the bottom of this page
- Apply online – this will take you to our online application system.
- Collecting an application form from your local library.
- Call us on 0345 200 0388 for an application form or for assistance completing one.
Your bus pass is valid in the following locations at the following times:
| Location |
Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) |
Weekends and public holiday |
| Essex, Southend and Thurrock Authorities: Companion Passes are valid in these areas |
09:00 to 24:00 |
Anytime |
Any other local authority in England:(Not all authorities offer earlier discretionary start times – you should check before travel).
A companion pass will only act as a standard pass outside of Essex. Your companion will be required to pay for their travel. |
09:30 to 23:00 |
Anytime |
| Transport For London Buses (you cannot use your pass on the Underground, DLR or Trams) |
09:00 to 24:00 |
Anytime |
An Essex companion pass is available for those who have difficulty travelling without assistance. For more information please call 0345 200 0388 or email: help@canigetapass.org.uk
Eligibility for an older persons pass
Older people become eligible for a bus pass at the now equalised, male and female, age of retirement. Currently this is at age of 66. Please use the eligibility calculator at www.gov.uk/state-pension-age to find out when you will become eligible for a pass.
The eligibility for an Older Persons Bus Pass is set by the Department for Work and Pensions. Essex County Council is not responsible for this.
Eligibility for disabled persons pass
Disabled people can qualify under the following categories:
- Visually Impaired
- Hearing Impaired
- Speech Impaired
- Unable to walk
- Loss of use of both arms
- Learning impairment that has resulted in an arrested state of development before adulthood
- Unable to drive for reasons of medical fitness.
A person applying for a bus pass must provide the evidence to show their eligibility. Essex County Council is required to ensure that it only issues passes where it is satisfied that the criteria has been met. If you have any questions, you can call us to discuss your application on 0345 200 0388.
If you have lost, or damaged, your bus pass you can either Apply online for a replacement or call 0345 200 0388. Note if applying online you will receive first an acknowledgement email and subsequently an approval email requesting you pay the replacement fee (£10) by online card transaction.
If your pass has been stolen, you should call 0345 200 0388 to replace it. You will need to pay £10 to replace this pass.
Older People (blue stripe on the right hand side): Your pass is usually renewed automatically. However, if you have moved, you need to tell us as soon as you move to ensure that we have the correct information for you.
Disabled People (orange stripe on the right hand side): Some passes are renewed automatically, but some require evidence to be updated in order to renew a bus pass. We will write to you if we need new evidence; if you do not hear from us you need not worry as your pass will be renewed automatically.
Typically, we will automatically renew passes for people with visual impairments and hearing impairments. However, in respect of other disabilities we might ask for a copy of updated information to enable us to renew your pass. We are happy to help all customers in understanding what evidence we need in order to quickly and easily renew a bus pass.
For those people needing to apply for their renewal this too can now be done by Applying online. Note also that anyone due a Renewal (within 60 days), expected automatically or not, who wishes to upload a new photograph can do so by using the Apply Online link.
Have you moved? Please call us on 0345 200 0388 or you can amend your details on the website Apply online
Bus operator reimbursement
Bus Operators may wish to download the documents below which contain information about the Scheme for 2016/17 and the reimbursement rates. If you have any questions, please contact Essex County Council by calling 0345 743 0430.
Please note we cannot assist with applications or replacements on this number and you should call 0345 200 0388 if your query relates to a bus pass.