English National Bus Passes for older and disabled people are valid for free local bus travel throughout England, subject to peak-hour time restrictions.

Using your bus pass

When travelling with your Older Person's or Disabled Person's Bus Pass, make sure you have your pass ready to show to the driver when you board the bus. Many buses in York are now fitted with smart card readers. If your bus has a smart card reader, simply touch your pass on the reader when you board.

When you can use your bus pass:

• After 9am Monday to Friday (after 9:30am if travelling outside York and North Yorkshire).
• Before 6am Monday to Friday in York & North Yorkshire where services commence sufficiently early.
• Any time at weekends or bank holidays.

Where you can use your bus pass:

• New National passes are valid on all local bus services throughout England.
• Old-style York bus passes are no longer valid, regardless of the expiry date printed on the pass.
• Passes are NOT valid for use on excursions or tour buses.
• Passes are not normally valid for free travel on long-distance scheduled coach services such as National Express. Please check with the coach operator before travelling.
• Passes are not valid within Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

When using your pass outside the local area, please let the driver know your destination to avoid any confusion.

How to apply for a bus pass

You can only apply for a bus pass from the authority within which your sole or principal residence is located. If your sole or principal residence is outside the City of York boundary, please contact your local authority or Passenger Transport Executive to find out how to apply for a pass. If you have recently moved to the York area and have a bus pass issued in another area, you must return it to your former local authority or PTE before applying for a new pass from City of York Council.

New applications

New applicants can apply for a bus pass from Customer Services at 9 St Leonard's Place between 9.00am and 4.30pm.

Please bring proof of your address and age (and proof of qualifying disability for eligible disabled applicants).

We will check your documents and take your photograph (if you are applying on behalf of someone else, please bring their documents and a passport-sized photograph). New applicants will receive their national pass by post within 3 working days.

Please note that we cannot accept applications any earlier than 6 months before you become eligible for a pass.

Applying by post

Download and complete the application form if you want to apply for or renew a bus pass. Forms are also available from most post offices and council reception points.

When you return your form by post you must include:

• a passport sized photograph (write your name on the back)
• proof of your address (eg photocopies of a current gas or electric bill)
• proof of your age (photocopies of passport, birth certificate, driving licence, medical card or letter/statement from the DWP)

Send your application to: Transport Planning Unit (BP), City of York Council, 9 St. Leonard's Place, FREEPOST (YO239), York YO1 7ZZ. Please allow up to 7 days for us to process postal applications.

Renewing your pass

Your pass has an expiry date in the top right hand corner. You will receive a letter inviting you to renew your pass approximately 3 weeks before your pass expires. Please do not send your old pass in the post.

If your pass is due to expire within the next seven days and you have not received a renewal letter, please call our helpline on (01904) 551670.

Lost bus passes

Lost bus passes will be replaced free of charge in the first instance. Subsequent replacements will be charged at £7.50 unless you can produce a valid police incident number to prove your pass has been stolen.

If you have any further queries about the bus pass please call our helpline on (01904) 551670.