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Free bus passes for disabled people

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What is a disabled persons bus pass?

A concessionary free bus pass allows eligible disabled ßÙßÇÂþ»­ residents to travel on buses for free, anywhere in England.

It's valid between 9.30am and 11pm from Monday to Friday, and at any time on weekends and public holidays.

You can apply for your bus pass 28 days in advance of the date you are eligible.

Please allow up to 15 working days for your application to be assessed. If your application is successful, your pass will be posted to you. If your application is not successful, we will contact you by email/post.

Are you eligible?

You may be eligible for a disabled persons bus pass if you:

  1. Are a ßÙßÇÂþ»­ resident, aged 5 until you reach State Pension age, and
  2. Have one of the 7 disability categories listed below.

Those that are of should apply for an older person bus pass.

The 7 categories of disability

  • Blind or partially sighted
  • Profoundly or severely deaf
  • Without speech
  • A disability, or have suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to walk
  • Do not have arms or have long-term loss of the use of both arms
  • A learning disability, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind that started before adulthood and includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning
  • An application for a driving licence would be refused due to medical fitness.

How to apply

When applying for a disabled bus pass you must provide proof of address and evidence of disability. Please ensure you include full page images of each proof, as incomplete or incorrect proof will delay your application.

Proof of address

  • Council tax document
  • Tenancy agreement
  • Utility bill
  • Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)
  • HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) letter (Tax code/National Insurance number)

Evidence of disability

A bus pass can be valid between 3 months and 5 years, depending on the evidence provided. You can view the evidence needed for each disability by clicking the heading below that's relevant to you.

  • Full registration card/letter from Sight for ßÙßÇÂþ»­
  • Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) signed by a consultant ophthalmologist

  • Audiologist's written report (we may require an audiogram showing 70+ dB hearing loss (HL) in both ears)
  • Receipt of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) with a minimum score of 8 points for the communicating verbally activity

Important: Applicants must provide copies of the PIP documents that clearly state details such as name, date of the letter, length of the award as well as the PIP points awarded.

  • Receipt of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) with a minimum score of 8 points for communicating verbally activities
  • Information can be considered from an appropriate medical professional if relevant

Important: Applicants must provide copies of the PIP documents that clearly state details such as name, date of the letter, length of the award as well as the PIP points awarded.

  • Receipt of Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) award
  • Disabled persons parking permit (Blue Badge)
  • Receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA):
    • Adults: middle or higher rate care component and/or higher rate mobility component
    • Children under 16: mobility or care component at any rate
  • Receipt of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) with a minimum score of 8 points for moving around activity
  • War Pensioners Mobility Supplement
  • If you have not applied for a Blue Badge or been through a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) assessment for PIP/DLA please contact us to find out about the process for an independent walking assessment.

Important: Applicants must provide copies of the PIP documents that clearly state details such as name, date of the letter, length of the award as well as the PIP points awarded.

Evidence in writing from a medical professional.

  • Adult (over 18): in receipt of a Personal Budget funded by ßÙßÇÂþ»­, with the primary care need being a learning disability. If you fall under this category please let the Concessionary Fares Team know when you apply and they will be able to check the Adult Social Care records for confirmation.
  • Child (under 18) with current completed Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
  • Receipt of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) with a minimum score of 12 points for planning and following journeys
  • Receipt of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) with a minimum score of 8 points for communicating verbally activities
  • Receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA):
    • Adults: middle or higher rate care component, higher rate mobility component
    • Children under 16: mobility or care component at any rate.

Important: Applicants must provide copies of the PIP documents that clearly state details such as name, date of the letter, length of the award as well as the PIP points awarded.

For example; epilepsy, severe mental disorder and other disabilities which are likely to cause the driving of vehicles by them to be a source of danger to the public.

  • Either a recent letter from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), stating you have had your driving licence refused/revoked on medical grounds, or
  • Confirmation that you do not hold a driving licence and a recent letter from your hospital consultant or doctor stating why you would be refused a driving licence on medical grounds and how long they anticipate this to be the case.

Please note that being unable to drive due to prescribed medication or drug/alcohol misuse does not qualify as entitlement for a bus pass.

The Department for Transport also produces .

Please note: We do not recommend using General Practitioner (GP) letter writing services. If you choose to use one, you may have to pay a fee. Using this service is your choice, and it does not guarantee that you will meet the eligibility criteria.

Other documentation needed

Before you apply you will also need the following:

  • Your National Insurance number
  • Your contact details
  • A digital photo (using your smartphone/tablet if preferred) of yourself that meets the ( online applicants only)
  • Valid email address (one per applicant) (online applicants only)

Ways to apply

Library staff can take your photo and submit your documents on your behalf. Make sure you bring all necessary information and supporting documents with you.

Reapply, replace or change your details

You may need to reapply for your disabled person bus pass, replace a lost or stolen bus pass, or update your details.

Reapply

There are 3 ways to reapply; online, at a library or by returning the completed renewal letter.

You'll need:

If you are reapplying using your renewal letter please ensure it is returned with recent proof of your disability to:

Free Bus Pass, Victoria Gate, Chobham Road, Woking, GU21 6JD.

Replace

If your pass has been lost, stolen or damaged it will be cancelled and will stop working. There is a charge of £10 for a replacement pass. Once a bus pass has been cancelled it cannot be reactivated.

You can replace your bus pass 2 ways:

Change your details

If your details have changed you'll need to supply proof of this change by contacting us.

Please note: if your pass does not arrive within 60 days and you haven't notified us, you may be liable to a £10 charge for a replacement pass.

Need someone to travel with you?

If you have a disable person bus pass and have difficulty travelling alone, you could be entitled to travel with a companion.

To qualify for a Companion pass, (identified by a +C on your pass), you will need to provide a letter stating that you require assistance to travel from either:

  • Social Services
  • Sight for ßÙßÇÂþ»­
  • A medical professional involved in your care
  • For children, a letter by the Head Teacher or Special Education Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator (SENCO).

Alternatively, please supply a copy of your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) with 12 points for the planning and following a Journey activity.

Applicants will need to follow the above process when reapplying for their companion permit.

Terms and conditions of your bus pass

  • Show your pass to the driver when boarding, then scan it on the ticket machine.
  • TfL services: Your bus pass will not scan on any Transport for London (TfL) services. Simply show your pass to the driver for visual inspection.
  • Companion travel: If you have a companion pass (+C), your companion can travel free with you on journeys starting in ßÙßÇÂþ»­ during the valid times. Companion travel outside ßÙßÇÂþ»­ is not guaranteed. You can still travel on your own if you are able to, however the companion cannot use the pass to travel alone, and the pass holder must always be present.
  • Use is subject to the bus operator’s terms and conditions.
  • The pass is non-transferable and remains the property of ßÙßÇÂþ»­.
  • Keep your pass in good condition. Avoid bending, scratching or exposing it to heat, as this may damage the chip and make the card unusable.
  • Any travel days lost or costs incurred due to a card being lost, stolen or damaged cannot be refunded.

Contact us

  • E-mail: freebuspass@surreycc.gov.uk
  • Telephone: 0300 200 1009
  • SMS: 07860 053465
  • Address: Free Bus Pass, Victoria Gate, Chobham Road, Woking, GU21 6JD

ßÙßÇÂþ»­ ENCTS (Free bus pass) - Privacy notice

ßÙßÇÂþ»­'s England National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS). For information relating to how your personal information is used, please see ßÙßÇÂþ»­ ENCTS (Free bus pass) - Privacy notice

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