Bus Passes

Bus Passes

Apply for your free bus pass (external website)

There are three easy steps to access your free bus pass:

find out about the criteria for a free bus pass online or by phone
check which documents you need to take with you
visit one of these libraries (external website) to claim your pass

Since 1 April 2011 Spelthorne Council no longer manages requests and renewals for the concessionary passes.

More than 180,000 elderly or disabled Surrey residents currently hold a pass and collectively take 6.9 million free bus journeys each year.

There is no charge for the issue of the pass which entitles the holder to free bus travel throughout England between 9.30am and 11pm Monday to Friday and anytime at weekends and bank holidays. These times also apply for holders of the 60+ pass on any bus in Surrey. Disabled pass holders will continue to have unlimited travel.

There is unrestricted use for both permit types on Transport for London (TfL) sponsored bus services including those that run within Surrey.

The passes are valid for up to five years and existing pass holders should continue to use their current pass issued by Spelthorne until it expires.

Useful links

Surrey County Council - Buses (external website)
Transport For London - Buses (external website)

Eligibility for older persons free bus pass

From 1 April 2010, the qualifying age for both men and women for a bus pass will no longer be from 60 years of age but will increase to 65 in stages by April 2020. The exact date of eligibility is linked to a woman's pensionable age and this is for both men and women. A state pension age calculator is available on the DirectGov website (external website) and this also shows when you will become eligible for your bus pass.

If you were born before 6 April 1950 you are eligible for an older person's bus pass from your 60th birthday.

Eligibility for disabled persons free bus pass

Disabled people can apply for a pass issued on disability grounds from the age of five upwards. Passes are issued under medical, physical or mental health categories. Please see Criteria to qualify for a disabled person bus pass for more information about eligibility and if you cannot travel without a companion, please see Companion bus pass for information about whether you are entitled to free travel for your companion.

Further information

Telephone 03456 009009
Minicom 020 8541 9698
SMS Text Service 07527 182861
e-mail: contact.centre@surreycc.gov.uk or pick up a leaflet from your local library