Scotland-wide free bus scheme (National Entitlement Card)
If you are over 60 or have a disability, you could be eligible for free bus travel to get around Scotland and your local area. The National Entitlement Card scheme also allows for free travel for companions where required by eligible disabled people of any age (including children under 5).
You can access this via the National Entitlement Card (NEC), your pass to free bus travel in Scotland:
- Eligibility
- How to apply
- Request a replacement card
- Offices accepting applications
- Companions
- Contact
Eligibility
View the eligibility and conditions for over 60s and disabled travellers on the Travel Scotland website.
How to apply
Please note that we won't be able to process applications made more than 2 weeks before the 60th birthday.
To apply, please complete the National Entitlement Card application form (pdf 166KB). You can request a copy of the form by contacting the NEC team or collect it from one of our offices accepting applications.
To complete your application you will need to provide supporting documents with the form.
Completed applications (with supporting documents) should be returned to use via email, where possible.
If emailing is not possible and you wish to send your application by post, please note this will incur delays as mailing and posting through our NEC office is limited due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Supporting documentation
We will need you to provide proof of person, proof or photograph and proof of residence with your application.
If you have a disability you will also need to provide proof of your disability. The documentation you will need to provide depends on the type of disability that you have.
For more information on acceptable proofs visit the NEC website, however please note proofs provided have to be original only when returning the application in person. If you are applying by post or email please send copies of the evidence.
Apply at a post office
You might be able to apply for a bus pass at a post office. Not all post offices offer this service so please check this with your post office.
Please note the application form available at post offices is different than the council form. If you apply using the post office form (blue form), you can either validate the application there or email your application to us. The post office won’t be able to validate it if you apply using the council form.
Request a replacement card
For replacement cards please contact us by phone or email, providing your name, date of birth, address details and reason for replacement.
Offices accepting applications
Due to COVID-19 restrictions our service points and local offices are closed. Applications and renewal forms should be sent by email.
The following council offices accept and validate both disabled persons and over 60s applications:
- Service points
- Aboyne Social Work Office
- Banchory Social Work Office
- Fraserburgh Benefits office
- Laurencekirk Housing and Social Work
- Portlethen Social Work Office
Companions
The National Entitlement Card scheme also allows for free travel for companions when required.
Companions can make travel much easier, helping you to get on and off buses, carrying shopping and communicating with the driver. You can stay free and mobile, while making full use of your NEC.
Find out more about conditions and eligibility of having a companion.
Contact
National Entitlement Card Office
Maconochie Road
Fraserburgh
AB43 8TH
Telephone: 03456 081208
Email: entitlementcard@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Post: Freepost Access Aberdeenshire