Anyone aged 60 or over who lives in Scotland is able to travel free on virtually all scheduled local registered and long-distance bus services available to the general public using the National Entitlement Card (NEC).
Only a small number of services will not recognise the card, for example:
- premium fare bus services
- some night services
- city sightseeing buses
There are no boundary restrictions or charges for travel within Scotland, regardless of distance.
In addition, anyone living in East Ayrshire qualifying for free bus travel also benefits from non-bus concessions operated by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).
SPT operates a concessionary rail and subway scheme that gives discounted rail travel for anyone travelling within the SPT area.
Contact SPT for further information.
Bus services and travel information
For information about concessionary travel please visit Transport Scotland: Concessionary travel.
In addition, the Scotland-wide free bus travel includes services to and from Carlisle from Dumfries and Galloway and to and from Berwick-upon-Tweed from the Scottish Borders.
Your National Entitlement Card does not give you free bus travel within Carlisle or Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Traveline Scotland provides journey planning information for people who want to use public transport to get around Scotland.
How to apply
Apply online and access the following services:
- submit a new card application – you can apply 90 days before your 60th birthday and the application will be processed, however the card will not be dispatched until two days prior to your birthday
- request a replacement card
- update your address or photo
Apply online for the above NEC services