Older person's bus pass

You can apply for an older person's bus pass for free travel on the bus anywhere in England during off-peak times.

Eligibility age calculator

Check if you are eligible before applying. You must be at least the female state pension age, it doesn't matter if you're male or female. 

Use GOV.UK's state pension age calculator

Apply online

You’ll need to upload:

  1. A passport style photo

Your photo must be:

  • Taken against a light background
  • In colour, not black and white
  • Focussed on your face and not contain any background objects

You must:

  • Make sure your hair doesn’t cover your eyes
  • Remove tinted glasses or sunglasses if possible

If your photo doesn’t meet this standard it will delay your application.

  1. Identification

 

Our online form now uses a built-in ID and address checking service that does a 'soft search' against your credit file. This won't affect your score and will only be visible to you and the company who carried out the search but won't be visible to any other company viewing your credit file.

This service is operated by our partner Transunion UK Ltd. You are free to opt-out of this service if you prefer, but you will be required to upload proofs of your identity and address as part of the process instead.

Apply online

We aim to process online applications within 5 working days.

Apply by post

We recommend applying online. If you’re unable to apply online you can complete a paper application by downloading the form below and returning it to the address shown on the form.

We aim to process postal applications within 15 working days.

You will need to include 

1.    A passport style photo

Your photo must be:

  • Taken against a light background
  • In colour, not black and white
  • Focussed on your face and not contain any background objects

You must:

  • Make sure your hair doesn’t cover your eyes
  • Remove tinted glasses or sunglasses if possible

If your photo doesn’t meet this standard it will delay your application.

2.    A copy of an identification document

The identification document must show your name and date of birth. We accept:

  • Passport
  • Driving licence
  • Birth certificate

Please send this completed form, including proof of eligibility and photograph to:
Older Persons’ Travel Scheme
Leicestershire County Council
County Hall
Glenfield
LEICESTER
LE3 8ST

How to use your pass

You can use your pass at off-peak times for free travel

  • Monday to Friday: 9.30am - 11pm
  • Weekends: All day
  • Bank holidays

This pass is only valid for you. Don't let another person use your pass. Your right to free travel is not transferable.

Only the pass most recently issued to you, is valid for travel. If you lose your pass and get a replacement, your original pass won't be valid, even if you later find it. You're likely to be refused free travel if you present anything other than your most recent pass.

Leicester Park & Ride services

There is a reduced fare for concessionary pass holders in accordance with the standard time constraints of their pass, on the days the services are running. See www.leicesterparkandride.co.uk for details of concessionary fares, route information and timetables.

Trains

You will not be able to use your Older Person’s Bus Pass to travel for free or at a reduced rate on trains.  Whilst certain discounts may be available on trains within Leicestershire for older and disabled travellers, these are solely at the discretion of individual rail operators and those discounts are not administered or reimbursed by Leicestershire County Council.

Renewing an older persons bus pass

You won't need to renew your bus pass when it expires.

We'll renew it automatically and send your new one in the post at least 3 weeks before your current pass runs out. Please ensure that you keep us informed of any changes to your name or address.

Changes to personal details

If you’re telling us about a change of name you’ll need to upload a copy of an official document, such as a marriage certificate, as proof of your new name.

If your address has changed, you’ll need to upload a copy of a utility or council tax bill as proof of your new address.

You can tell us online about any changes to your name or address.

Replacement bus pass

Please tell us if your bus pass has been lost, stolen or damaged - you can request a replacement bus pass if needed.