Concessionary bus fares scheme
ListenThe concessionary bus fares scheme allows pass holders to travel anywhere in England on local buses for free during off-peak times (0930 to 2300) and at any time on weekends and bank holidays. This applies to older persons and eligible disabled people, who are resident in England. Further information about your bus pass is given below. If you do not already have a bus pass, please visit our page about applying for a travel concession.
Important changes to qualifying age
From 6 April 2010 the qualifying age for both men and women has been linked to the state pensionable age for women. The qualifying age will gradually increase from 60 to 65 over the next ten years.
Renewing your bus pass
Your e+ bus pass lasts for up to five years. The expiry date is printed on your pass next to your photo. You can contact the council to renew your pass up to one month prior to the expiry date. It may be possible to renew by telephone instead of visiting one of the places where passes are issued. This will only apply if your name and address are the same and your photograph remains a true likeness. For more information, see the download on the right of this page.
Using your Bracknell Forest bus pass
- Weekends and public holidays
- Weekdays
- Green Line services
- Local buses
- Showing your pass
- Railcard subsidy
- Concessionary Bus Fares Scheme: Frequently Asked Questions
The times at which you can use your bus pass will depend on when and where, in England, you get on the bus.
Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
- You can board any local bus anywhere in England and travel at any time without charge.
Weekdays - Mondays to Fridays (days which are not public holidays)
- You can board a local bus in Bracknell Forest Borough, The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead or Slough Borough, and travel without charge at any time.
- You can board a local bus in Wokingham Borough or West Berkshire District, and travel without charge from 9am.
- For Reading Borough and the rest of England, you can travel without charge when you board a local bus between the hours of 9.30 am and 11.00 pm.
- Some other local authorities across the country may offer extensions to the hours you can use your pass. If you plan to visit an area outside Berkshire, and you would like to know whether there are any special local arrangements that may apply to you, the local council of the area you are interested in will be able to tell you and clarify whether the bus you plan to use is part of the scheme.
English national concessionary passes are valid for travel on Green Line services between Bracknell and Langley at any time, but not valid for free travel to London on 'Red' journeys (i.e. before 08:00 from Bracknell) on Mondays to Fridays. There are no restrictions at weekends or on public holidays.
Please note the following restrictions on the scheme;
- Express Coaches: Express coaches usually operate longer distance services with few stops, often using motorways. They are not classed as local buses, and you cannot use your free travel bus pass on them, although some bus companies offer reduced fares.
- Trains, trams, taxis and ferries: You cannot use your concessionary bus pass on trains (including London underground), trams or ferries, nor for travel on taxis or private hire vehicles.
- Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: Your Bracknell Forest bus pass can only be used in England. You cannot use your bus pass for travel in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
You must show your pass every time you get on a bus. In some places the driver may ask you to touch your pass on an automatic reader. Please try to make sure that the Bracknell Forest badge in the top right hand corner of the pass can be easily seen by the bus driver.
If you have any queries, please contact us using the contact details on the right-hand side of this page or view our frequently asked questions.
If you are aged 60 or over you can apply for a Senior Railcard at your local rail station. The senior railcard entitles you to a third off most standard and first class rail fares throughout Great Britain.
If you are aged over 65, or currently have a Disabled Persons Railcard, Bracknell Forest Council can subsidize your railcard as an alternative to a bus pass.
Please note that if you choose to obtain a railcard from the Council you cannot claim a bus pass for at least a further year. For more information on how to apply for a railcard, please visit our Applying for a Travel Concession page.
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