Concessionary Fares
National Bus Pass Scheme for Over 60s and Disabled People
If you're over 60 or registered disabled you are entitled to a national bus pass which allows you to enjoy free off-peak travel on local bus services anywhere in England.
The name of the bus pass scheme is the National Bus Concession, and it is also known as Concessionary Fares.
There is no time restriction for RBWM bus pass holders boarding buses within RBWM - local bus travel is free at all times (exclusions apply, please see Q22 and Q23 below)
- How to apply and who is eligible
- How, When, Where and On What to use your new national bus pass
- Eligibility Leaflet
- Concessionary Fares Conditions of Use (pdf)
- Fraud Prevention
How to apply and who is eligible
1. Where do I get my free bus pass from?
Applications should be made in person at one of the Council's 5 issuing sites:
- Customer Services Centre, Maidenhead
Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead, SL6 1RF
(Opening times for bus applications: Mon-Thur 08.45 - 17.15, Fri 08.45 - 16.45)
- Customer Services Centre, Windsor
York House, Sheet Street, Windsor, SL4 1DD
(Opening times for bus pass applications: Mon-Thur 08.45 - 17.15, Fri 08.45 - 16.45)
- Charters Leisure Centre
Charters Comprehensive School, Charters Road, Sunningdale, SL5 9QY
(Opening times for bus pass applications: Mon-Fri 16:30 - 23:00 [schooldays] OR Mon-Fri 09:00 - 23:00 [school holidays]; Sat-Sun 09:00 - 18:00)
- Magnet Leisure Centre
Holmanleaze, Maidenhead, SL6 8AW
(Opening times for bus pass applications: Mon-Wed 10:00 - 17:00; Thu 12:00 - 20:00; Fri 10:00 - 17:00; Sat 09:00 - 16:00; Sun 10:00 - 16:00)
- Windsor Leisure Centre
Clewer Mead, Stovell Road, Windsor, SL4 5JB
(Opening times for bus pass applications: Mon-Fri 10:00 - 21:00; Sat 10:00 - 18:00; Sun 10:00 - 16:00)
Contact phone number 01628 683806.
The issuing service is no longer available at Windsor Information Centre or Performance at Braywick.
Your new pass will be posted to you within 10 working days along with a Frequently Asked Questions leaflet and the RBWM Concessionary Travel Pass Conditions of use. Further checks will be made on your application to verify your eligibility.
For contact details and opening times for Leisure Centres and the Customer Service Centres please click on the relevant link.
2. Who is eligible?
All borough residents over the age of 60 or who are registered disabled.
3. How do I qualify if I am disabled?
The seven categories of disability include any person who:
a) is blind or partially sighted
b) is profoundly or severely deaf
c) is without speech
d) has a disability, or has suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to walk [registered disabled]
e) does not have arms or has long-term loss of the use of both arms
f) has a learning disability, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning
g) would have an application to drive a motor vehicle refused due to their disability.
NB. If you have a blue disabled parking badge you qualify for a bus pass. (You do not, however, automatically qualify for a blue disabled parking badge if you have a disabled bus pass and further assessment of your disability may be required). If you would like to find out more about the blue disabled parking badge scheme, please see the Blue Badge webpage.
4. What evidence do I need to bring to apply for a new bus pass?
In order to qualify for a bus pass, you must live permanently within the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. Bus passes will be issued upon seeing proof of address and either age or disability. Please see pdf below for a full list of documents that we will accept as proof of eligibility.
In instances where you are not able to produce any of these documents to prove your entitlement to a disability-related bus pass, you may be assessed by an appropriate medical specialist.
For more information about eligibility please visit the Direct Gov website.
5. Do I need to bring a photo in?
No, we take a photograph of you at the issuing sites.
6. Can I use my existing Advantage card style bus pass (which doesn't expire until 2011 or later) as a free bus pass?
No, your Advantage card style bus pass is no longer valid as a bus pass. However, please keep your existing Advantage card for use for discounts at local shops, atrractions and parking.
7. Will I need to get a new Advantage card?
No, you can continue to use your Advantage card for discounts at local shops, attractions, and for car parking but it will not be valid as a bus pass.
8. Can I use my new bus pass for parking discounts in RBWM car parks?
No, you will need to use your yellow Advantage card in parking meters.
9. I'm not intending to use the pass outside RBWM; do I still need a new one?
Yes. All concessionary travel passes have changed.
10. I have been issued a white temporary pass. Why do I need to get a new one?
The temporary passes are no longer valid as they were part of an interim arrangement. The temporary passes expired on 30 September 2008 and you should return to an issuing site to obtain a new full national bus pass.
11. Can I get one for my husband/wife/partner?
No, individuals have to attend to have their photo taken.
12. How long is the free bus pass valid for?
There will be an expiry date on your full national bus pass which will not be longer than 5 years.
13. What will my pass look like?
Four types of passes being issued within RBWM:
- For those aged 60 or over, your pass will feature a blue strip down the right-hand side.
- For disabled people, yours will feature an orange strip.
- For those aged 60 or over who find it impossible to travel by bus without assistance, you may apply for a companion bus pass which will feature a blue strip down the right-hand side with a capital C in the top right-hand corner.
- For disabled people who find it impossible to travel by bus without assistance, you may apply for a companion bus pass which will feature an orange strip down the right-hand side with a captial C in the top right-hand corner.
There is a red rose and ribbon running across the top of the cards to represent England. You will also see the RBWM crest on the top right.
14. The new Companion Bus Pass
There is local enhancement to the National Concessionary Fare Scheme. This is the Companion Bus Pass which allows people who are unable to travel by bus without assistance to be accompanied by a person who will travel for free, subject to restrictions.
In addition to being a resident of RBWM and either over 60 or registered disabled, a person is eligible for the Companion Bus Pass if they can show that they find it impossible to travel by bus without assistance. Applications are considered on a case by case basis.
The Companion Bus Pass is only valid when the Bus Pass Holder is accompanied.
Your companion may be any person of your choice, including young carers, who is capable of assisting you on a bus. A companion is not restricted to one specific person, but only one companion may travel for free on any one journey.
Your companion will not receive a bus pass in their own right and they cannot use the Companion Bus Pass for free travel when travelling alone or for journeys started outside RBWM or Slough (in these instances the Bus Pass Holder will still travel for free as entitled by the National Concessionary Fares Scheme minimum benefits).
A companion will be able to travel for free with the Bus Pass Holder within RBWM or Slough at all times and on all days of the year.
You may not hold both a Companion Bus Pass and a standard National Bus Pass. When you apply for a companion bus pass you will be asked to return your standard National Bus Pass to RBWM Council.
The companion bus pass will have a capital C in the top right-hand corner which must be shown to the bus driver when you and your companion board the bus. You must be accompanied to use this bus pass.
How to apply for a Companion Bus Pass
To qualify for a companion bus pass the holder will need to show specialist proof - ie a letter from a medical specialist or social worker - confirming that they are unable to travel on buses without the help of a carer.
Companion Bus Pass applications may only be made in person at Maidenhead Customer Service Centre or Windsor Customer Service Centre. You will not be able to obtain a Companion Bus Pass from any leisure Centre.
- Customer Services Centre, Maidenhead
Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead, SL6 1RF
(Opening times for bus applications: Mon-Thur 08.45 - 17.15, Fri 08.45 - 16.45)
- Customer Services Centre, Windsor
York House, Sheet Street, Windsor, SL4 1DD
(Opening times for bus pass applications: Mon-Thur 08:45 - 17.15, Fri 08.45 -16.45)
15. I have lost my bus pass, or it has been stolen, can it be replaced?
Yes, you will need to go to one of the issuing sites with proof of residency and either age or disability. Please be aware that each replacement will incur an admin charge of £15.
16. Can I claim a Concessionary Fares Direct Payment (previously known as taxi vouchers) as well?
No, you may only hold one type of concession at any one time: your bus pass will be invalidated if you apply for and are accepted to receive the Concessionary Fares Direct Payment (CFDP). Concessionary Fares Direct Payments are used by permanently disabled residents who are unable to use public transport.
17. Can I get a rail pass at the same time?
No, rail passes are only available from the railway station and are not included in the national bus pass scheme.
How, When, Where and On What to use your new national bus pass
19. Are there conditions for using the bus pass ?
Yes, please refer to the RBWM Concessionary Travel Pass Conditions of Use LINK 3( this is posted to you with your bus pass).20. When is it free and can I travel on a bus at any time?
The new government minimum times of travel are 9.30am-11pm Monday to Friday and all day on weekends and bank holidays.
Residents may travel at any time every day within the boundaries of RBWM.
You may also use your bus pass on buses in Slough and Bracknell at any time. You may use your bus pass in Reading, West Berkshire, and Wokingham localities after 9am until 11pm.
In the rest of England, please assume that you may only travel between 9.30am - 11pm as local benefits to extend this time are often available only to people resident in those areas. However, to be sure about what you are entitled to it is worth checking with the relevant local authority in the area you are visiting before you travel.
Please see Q14 for restrictions on Companion Bus Passes.
21. How strict are the time restrictions?
The time restrictions apply are applied strictly (i.e. the pass will not be valid if you board a bus 10 minutes early where restrictions apply).
22. How do I use my pass?
In most areas the national pass will be used as a 'flash pass' and shown to the driver when boarding. However, in some areas outside of London, buses have smart electronic pass readers. In these areas, passengers will be able to put their pass over the electronic pass reader and it will identify that the holder is entitled to a free journey and will record that the journey has been made.
If you are unsure, please ask the driver for assistance when boarding the bus.
23. Can I travel on any bus?
The new national scheme entitles bus pass holders to travel for free on local, off-peak bus services. The definition of a 'local bus' will be self-evident in most cases, but in a few instances could include some longer distance buses and coach services where part of their route is registered as a local bus service. If in doubt, pass holders can check with the service operator, or with RBWM on 01628 683806.
The National Bus Concession does not include the following:
a) Scheduled coach services not registered as local bus services
b) Other modes such as ferries, trains, or trams
c) Community transport services not registered as local bus services
d) Other special services
The above list is not exhaustive but gives a guide to the main exemptions; if in doubt, contact RBWM on 01628 683806.
24. What about travelling on the Green Line service?
RBWM residents may travel for free on the Green Line (bus numbers 700, 701 and 702) from 9.30am on weekdays and all day at weekends and bank holidays. If you wish to use one of the Green Line bus services before 9.30am you will have to pay the full adult fare. For timetable information please visit the Greenline website.
25. How far can I travel for free?
You may travel for free across England on local bus services between 9.30am - 11pm. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are excluded from this scheme.
Please see Q14 for restrictions on Companion Bus Passes.
26. If I visit an area which offers additional services, will I be entitled to those services?
Probably not. Authorities that offer additional services must fund the additional services themselves. As a general rule they only provide the additional services for their own residents. However, some authorities do have schemes which offer benefits to people from some other areas. It is worth checking the relevant local authority in the area to which you intend to travel.
27. Where can I catch the bus to Bracknell, Reading, High Wycombe, Slough, Staines or Heathrow Airport?
Call the National Bus Travel line on 0871 200 2233. It is a very good service. Alternatively link to the journey planner on the Bus Services serving the Borough.
28. Can I travel for free in London?
You may use your bus pass as a 'flash and go' card on London buses at off-peak times. You may not use your pass on other modes of transport such as tubes, trains or trams. These benefits are paid for by the London authorities and are therefore available only to London Freedom Pass Holders. Non-London residents are only entitled to the statutory national concession of free off-peak bus travel when visiting London.
29. Where do I get a bus timetable from?
Find bus timetables on board local buses or there is a limited selection available from the Customer Service Centres at the Town Hall in Maidenhead and at York House in Windsor, your local library and Windsor Tourist Information Centre.
- For Courtney Coaches services, please visit Courtney Coaches webiste or request timetables by calling 01344 482200.
- For First bus services, please visit First Group website or request timetables by calling 01753 524144.
30. Where do I get real-time bus information from?
RBWM operates a real-time bus information text service.
Contact Information:
By email: customer.services@rbwm.gov.uk
By telephone: 01628 683806
By post: Concessionary Fares, CSC, RBWM, Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1RF
Web page: Bus Services
Fraud Prevention
Following your application for a national bus pass, further checks will be made using the information you provided to verify your eligibility.
If our checks indicate that you may not be eligible, for example, because you are already in receipt of a Concessionary Fares Direct Payment, you will receive a letter to state this.
The Council has the duty by law to administer a national bus pass to those within its area who qualify. We also have a responsibility to ensure that payments and bus passes are given only to those who are actually entitled to receive them.
For that reason, the Royal Borough has its own Fraud section whose duties include:
- detecting fraudulent applications;
- stopping applications in fraudulent cases; and
- calculating overpayments of Concessionary Fares Direct Payments.
Your information will be used for the prevention and detection of fraud.
Eligibility Leaflet
A list of documents that will be accepted as proof of eligibility.
RBWM Bus Pass Terms and Conditions of Use
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