Bus passes

Find information about the bus pass scheme and how to apply

The national bus pass provides free 'off-peak' travel on all local commercial bus services anywhere in England. Off-peak means:

  • Weekdays - travel between 09:30 and 23:00
  • Weekends - all day travel
  • Bank holidays - all day travel​

You can apply for a bus pass online through our online portal

You can also download the application form below and return it to:

Transport Services

Fairway House

Limerick Road

Redcar TS10 5JU

You will be required to create an account and include proof that you are of pensionable age (birth certificate or driving licence) and that you are resident in Redcar and Cleveland (e.g. utility bill or council tax bill) and include a digital photograph.

The relevant evidence will need to be added using either a photograph or a PDF document.

If you require any assistance in completing your online application, please c​ontact the Transport Team on 01642 776906​, 01642 444998 or alternatively contact the team by email

Once you have applied for your bus pass online you will receive an email to confirm registration and that your application has been received (Please check your junk mail).

You may also log into your account to check the progress on your application.

Bus passes on grounds of age

The age that you qualify to apply for an older person's concessionary bus pass changed on 6 April 2010. The age that people can apply for a bus pass is changing from 60 years to 66  years. This started to apply from 6 April 2010 and will be fully achieved in 2020. 

If you already have a bus pass you will not lose it. And if your 60th birthday took place before 5th April 2010 you can still apply for your bus pass in the usual way. 

If you were born after 5 April 1950, the age you become eligible is tied to changes in the State Pension age for women. This affects both men and women. 

You can find out more about when you will be eligible on the gov.uk website.

If you have reached pension age and you are travelling anywhere within the Tees Valley (Middlesbrough, Stockton, Darlington, Hartlepool and Redcar & Cleveland) you can travel free of charge after 9.30am and before 11:00 pm on weekdays and at any time on weekends using your older person's bus pass. 

Holders of an English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) pass can pay a fixed fare of 30p for any journey in Stockton, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Redcar & Cleveland starting before 9:30am Monday to Friday.

You can find out more about the ENCTS on the Connect Tees Valley website.

This fare applies to all scheduled services operating within, from or between the areas covered by Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Councils. Travel at any other time remains free of charge.

The 30 pence concessionary fare applies only to pass holders whose English National Concessionary Travel Scheme pass was issued by Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Councils.

Travellers who hold passes issued by other authorities will need to pay full fare if they wish to travel before 9.30am or after 11.00pm Monday to Friday. 

If you wish to travel further afield you will need to contact the local council in the area that you wish to travel, to find out if they state travel time restrictions.

This concessionary bus pass does not cover travel on National Express or other private coach services nor does it apply to rail services.

Bus passes for reasons of disability (any age)

If you feel you are eligible for free travel on grounds of disability you can also apply for a bus pass by completing the online application form.

You will be required to include any relevant evidence online using either a photograph or a PDF document and you may be subject to an assessment by an occupational therapist to be performed at the Independent Living Centre in Middlesbrough. This assessment will be used to determine entitlement to a pass.

Companion passes

We also offer companion passes for those who need help to travel by bus if they are eligible. 

See the application form for more details.

The paper form is also available to download below: 

Renewal of concessionary bus passes on grounds of age

You may apply to renew your concessionary bus pass up to 4 weeks before the expiry date.

Renewal of concessionary bus passes for reasons of disability (any age)

You may apply to renew your concessionary bus pass online using the link below up to 4 weeks before the expiry date by completing the online process.

More information for all renewal applicants

Your details will be checked and we can only approve renewals when you provide proof of your current address.

No proof of your current address will result in your request for renewal being declined.

Acceptable forms of proof include:

  • Driving Licence
  • Recent Bill
  • Recent Bank Statement
  • Prescription or Prescription Stub
  • Doctors, DWP or Hospital letter
     

Please note that Passports are not acceptable as they do not include your address.

You will also be required to confirm:

  • Your date of birth
  • That you have not moved house since your initial pass was issued
  • Your contact telephone number

Your new pass will be sent out to you in the post. It should take no longer than 2 weeks to arrive.

*Please note that replacement passes for lost/stolen/damaged cards are to be processed by contacting the Transport Department on 01642 776906 and may incur a charge of £12*