Bus travel in England
From 1 April 2008, people over the age of 60 and disabled people in England are eligible for a free bus pass. This is valid for bus travel in England between 9.30am and 11pm Monday to Fridays and all day at weekends and Bank Holidays.
To get a free pass, people with epilepsy are classed as ‘disabled’ if they would be refused a driving licence if they applied for one.
The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) regulations 1999 allow a person with epilepsy to have a driving licence if:
that person has not had an epileptic attack for a year or more, or- that person has a history of attacks while asleep, and only while asleep, over the past three years or more, and
- the driving of a vehicle by that person is not likely to cause danger to the public.
This means that a person is not eligible for a concessionary pass just because they have epilepsy. They are eligible for the pass if they would be refused a driving licence, if they applied for one.
Where can I get a free pass?
Contact your local District or Unitary Council, or in metropolitan areas, the Passenger Transport Executive as these are the organisations responsible for issuing the passes.
Where can the pass be used?
You can use your free pass for bus travel across England.
How much does a pass cost?
The pass will be issued free of charge. If a photograph is needed, you will need to supply that.
Will I be entitled to concessionary fares on coaches?
Free travel will not be included for coach services. Some coach operators, such as National Express, already offer half-fare schemes for older and disabled people on many scheduled coach services. There are no changes planned to these services.
Will I be able to have free or discounted travel on other transport like trams, ferries or rail?
No, the legal minimum only covers bus services. A local authority may add travel on other forms of transport, depending on their judgement of local needs and circumstances, and their overall financial priorities.
See also
Information updated 19 March 2008
Epilepsy Helpline
- UK freephone 0808 800 5050
- International +44 113 210 8850
- Email: helpline@epilepsy.org.uk
- Txt msg: 07797 805 390 info
- Live online: Tuesdays and Thursdays 1230-1330 UK time
Twitter Updates
Epilepsy Action blog
Comments
I have been on medication for epilepsy for 6 years and I am appalled at how little information I have received about help available for people with this condition. I only found out that I could get free prescriptions 2 years after beginning taking medication, when a doctor mentioned it to me in passing. I have also only found out this month that I am eligible for disabled persons' railcard and bus pass. It is not an easy task applying either. I have had to get a letter from my GP informing the DVLA that I have epilepsy, then re-apply for a driving licence, in order to gain a letter from the DVLA saying I am unable to drive, to send to the relevant travel authority. It has been such a hassle to do. Having read this page I am now stunned to find that, once I obtain my bus pass, I will only be able to use it after 9.30am! I mainly use the bus to get to work in a morning (at 8.15am). This is because I am unable to drive. Surely this restriction on validity is discriminatory in itself? I feel it to be highly unacceptable!
hi jenny, i totally agree with what you are saying. iam a nurse and my daughter has had epliepsy since 2005. i was not aware that i could get DLA for her nor a free bus pass but iam too like yourself a little disappointed to find the restrictions of the times. isnt it to help you out? she still has to pay to go to school. please change the times of the pass as most people try and live a normal life and if they cant drive to work then they surely need a free bus pass?
hi just thought i should mention that some areas allow all day travel with a disabled buss pass as long as you work more than 15hrs per week i would check with your local travel provider. you may need a letter from your employer or college hope this helps. i live in tyne and wear and i have an all day pass
In some areas people can use the pass issued by their local authority all day but only within the boundary of that authority i.e.: within the city or area the council, who issued the pass, represents. Also the distance the pass can be used to will be different depending on agreements between the authority who issued it and its surrounding / neighbouring authorities
hi ,my daughter is 19 years old and has had epileptic seizures, (grand mal and petit mal) since the age of four weeks old, we did not find out about the travel pass untill she started university in sept 09, and as for the free prescriptions at 18 years old , she was not made aware that they where free and assumed she had to pay,as she was working partime to support her uni and college courses, the disability person at manchester met university was very helpfull.
she applied for a travel pass and seven months later she is still waiting.
we were totally appalled at the lack of information given to people with epilepsy regarding entitlements,maybe an information pack should be given at hospital check ups to notify what you are entitled to.
please encourage your son/ daughter to enrole at university or college, i am extremely proud of my daughter as she is studying to become a clinical neurophysiologist (please forgive me if the spelling is incorrect), as she feels she wants to give something back for all the help and support she has received in her life, from her fabulous epilepsy consultants and nurses, who incidentally are now a big part of our family even though she is now under adult hospital services.
our motto regarding our daughter is whatever you want to do in your life there is no such word as no, and we have had so much discrimination regarding her epilepsy over the years, but we have always fought for her right to be treated as an equal, at some periods it may take a little longer to do what you want but you get there in the end.