Disabled people are entitled to a bus pass giving free off-peak travel on local bus services anywhere in England.
Eligibility
To be entitled to a disabled person’s bus pass, you must meet one or more of the following criteria:
- be blind or partially sighted;
- be without speech;
- not have arms or have long-term loss of the use of both arms;
- be profoundly or severely deaf;
- have a learning disability;
- have a disability, or have suffered an injury which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to walk; or
- have been refused an application for a driving licence due to physical fitness, not including the misuse of drugs or alcohol.
You will need to provide supporting evidence and include this with your application. See the evidence required list in further information below for what is accepted.
Apply
Before applying online, please ensure you have the following to hand otherwise you will not be able to apply online:
- a digital passport quality photo to upload to your application;
- a valid email address; and
- your supporting evidence.
Further information
The following documents are accepted:
| Accepted documents | |
|---|---|
| Severely or partially sight impaired (blind or partially sighted) |
|
| Profoundly or severely deaf |
|
| Is without speech |
|
| Has a disability, or has suffered an injury which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on ability to walk |
|
| Does not have arms or has long-term loss of the use of both arms |
|
| Has a learning disability |
|
|
An application for the grant of a licence to drive a motor vehicle under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, would be refused under section 92 of that Act otherwise than on the ground of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol. (This criteria covers medical conditions and long term illness which prevent driving e.g. epilepsy, and severe mental health conditions). |
|
You are also required to provide evidence of your address.
Approximately four to six weeks before expiry, we will automatically send you a reminder for a new pass. We will send this to the address you provided when initially applying for your pass. If you have moved house within the last five years, then please let us know your new address so we can keep your records up to date.
There is no automatic renewal for a disabled person's bus pass. When renewing your bus pass you will need to, once again, provide documentary evidence as you did when you applied initially, and ensure you meet one or more of the eligibility criteria.
If you have moved out of North Yorkshire and your pass is due to expire, then you will need to apply to your new local authority.
If you move away from North Yorkshire, you must return your pass and apply for a pass from your new local authority. Please include a covering letter to explain why you have returned your pass. If the pass holder dies, please return the pass to us.
If you move to another part of North Yorkshire, you should phone us and select option 3 to tell us your change of address.
If you need any help applying for your bus pass, our web chat service is available during office hours or you can phone us.
Assistance to complete your online application is available at the following libraries. Please phone the library before visiting, to check they are able to assist when you plan to visit.
Please remember to bring your supporting evidence with you.
Access to a computer and scanner, for uploading supporting evidence, is available at all local libraries. Please phone the library before you visit as you may need to go on a specific day or time.
When boarding a bus show your pass to the driver then place it on the ticket machine to record your journey. On some buses without this equipment, the driver will record your journey manually.
The North Yorkshire and York scheme allows some disabled pass holders to receive the free concession for a companion travelling with them in North Yorkshire and City of York. The companion entitlement is not generally available elsewhere in England. However, some scheme areas may allow free travel for a companion so do ask when you board the bus. You do not have to take the same companion on every journey, but they must board and get off the bus at the same location as you.
General terms and conditions of a bus pass
Use of the pass is subject to the terms and conditions of the North Yorkshire and York scheme as well as the terms and conditions of the operator on whose vehicle the journey is being made.
Possession of a bus pass gives no priority over other passengers and does not guarantee any person the right to a seat on any vehicle.
The county council reserves the right to amend the terms of the scheme and to withdraw, amend or replace any pass.
The pass remains the property of the county council and is not transferable. It may be used only by the person whose name and photograph appear on it. Any attempt to use the pass fraudulently will result in the pass being withdrawn.
The pass is not valid if it is out-of-date, illegible, damaged or altered.
Frequently asked questions
When exactly can I travel?
Your pass is valid for use on bus services in York and North Yorkshire from 9am to 6am the following morning on weekdays and anytime on a weekend and bank holidays. Elsewhere in England it can generally only be used from 9.30am to 11pm weekdays and anytime on weekends and bank holidays.
Can I travel anywhere in England for free?
Yes, but you cannot travel in other areas of the UK, for example Scotland and Wales.
Is my pass valid for travel in London?
Yes, your pass is valid for free off peak bus travel in London. Only London residents can enjoy the additional benefits offered by the London Freedom Pass such as free travel on the underground.
Can I use my bus pass on any bus service?
No. The vast majority of bus services will accept your pass for free travel. Some services such as tour buses, park and ride, or services primarily for the purpose of tourism are excluded. Your pass will generally entitle you to a reduced fare on these services.
Can I use my pass on any other transport?
No. Bus passes are not valid for taxis, rail services, tour buses, park and ride or coach services. They are only valid on eligible local bus services.
What do I do if my pass is lost or stolen?
You must tell us, as this will help prevent it being used fraudulently. We will send you a replacement pass.
Do I have to pay for a replacement pass?
If your pass has been stolen, and you can supply a crime reference number, there will be no charge. If your pass has been lost or damaged there will usually be a £5 charge.
I am moving house. What do I need to do?
You must contact us and notify us of your change of address.
If you are moving out of North Yorkshire you must return your pass, as you are no longer entitled to the concession from the county council. You will be able to apply for a pass from your new local authority.
A guide to using your bus pass leaflet
The North Yorkshire and York scheme allows some disabled pass holders to receive a free concession for a companion travelling in North Yorkshire and City of York. The companion entitlement is not generally available elsewhere in England. However, some areas may allow free travel for a companion so do ask when you board the bus. You do not have to take the same companion on every journey, but they must board and get off the bus at the same location as you. They cannot use the pass without you.
If you have lost or damaged your disabled person's buss pass, there will be a charge of £5 for a replacement.
If your pass has been stolen, and you have a crime reference number from the police, we can issue your replacement pass free of charge.
Please phone us and select option 3 to arrange for a replacement pass.
In North Yorkshire and York you can use your pass on local bus services at any time, except between 6am and 9am on weekdays.
The following services are an exception to this and you can use your pass between 6am and 9am.
| Service | Time | From | Destination |
|---|---|---|---|
| X34 | 8.53am | Middleton Tyas | Scorton |
| 24 | 7.40am | Pateley Bridge | Harrogate |
| 29 | 8.42am | Raskelf | York |
| 22 | 8.38am school days 8.13am school holidays |
Ripon | York |
| 30 | 8.30am | Reeth | Richmond |
| 80 | 7.50am | Hutton Rudby | Northallerton |
| 136 | 8.12am | Melmerby | Ripon |
You can travel free across the rest of England between 9.30am and 11pm on Monday to Friday, and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Exception to using your pass
You can use the pass on all registered local bus services in England with the following exceptions:
- You cannot use the pass on long distance coach services;
- Passes are not valid on local park and ride services but discounted fares are available; and
- Passes are not valid on services that operate primarily for the purposes of tourism; see below.
Services on which passes are not valid
Yorkshire Dales area - summer 2017
| Service number | Route | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 882 | York - Ripon - Fountains Abbey | Summer Sundays and Bank Holidays |
| 825 | Ripon ‐ Fountains Abbey ‐ Pateley Bridge ‐ Upper Nidderdale / Grassington | Summer Sundays and Bank Holidays |
| 830 | Preston ‐ Lancaster ‐ Kirkby Lonsdale ‐ Ingleton ‐ Hawes ‐ Richmond | Summer Sundays and Bank Holidays |
| 830* | Middlesbrough ‐ Darlington ‐ Richmond ‐ Hawes ‐ Ingleton | Summer Sundays and Bank Holidays |
| 833 | Lancaster ‐ Bentham ‐ Ingleton ‐ Slaidburn ‐ Clitheroe | Summer Sundays and Bank Holidays |
| 859 | Richmond ‐ Leyburn | Summer Sundays and Bank Holidays |
| 881 | Morecambe ‐ Lancaster ‐ Ingleton ‐ Settle ‐ Malham | Summer Sundays and Bank Holidays |
* you can use this service only if your journey begins outside of North Yorkshire.
Scarborough area
| Service Number | Route |
|---|---|
| 108 / 109 | Scarborough Sea Front Tour buses |
| 64 / 65 | Scarborough Park and Ride Services |
| P1 / P2 | Whitby Summer Seasonal Park and Ride |
| 1 | Whitby Summer Tour Services |
Other areas
| Service Number | Route |
|---|---|
| 127 | Ripon ‐ Hawes Vintage Tour Bus |
| ME1 | Moors Explorer: Hessle ‐ Hull ‐ Pickering ‐ Danby |
Other service types
Generally community transport demand responsive services operated under Section 19 permit are not eligible services and concessionary pass holders are not entitled to free travel. A discounted fare will often be offered.
Use of your bus pass is subject to terms and conditions (pdf / 40 KB).