Wiltshire's bus pass explained

Your bus pass is part of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme and provides you with free off-peak travel on local bus services anywhere in England between the hours of 9am and 11pm Monday to Friday and all day at weekends.

Additionally, in Wiltshire (but not in Swindon) you can travel free on buses after 11pm where these operate. There are a limited number of morning buses where you can travel free before 9am because there are so few alternative buses - a list of these is available on our webpages 'Concessionary fare pre 9am exemptions effective from September 2024' or tel 0300 456 0100.

A charge of £15 is required to issue a new bus pass if you change your name and/or you wish to update your photograph. However this is free if you inform us at least two months before the expiry date of your current bus pass. Visit Concessionary bus pass for the most up to date information about the Wiltshire concessionary bus pass.

Your bus pass will not be valid if:

• you had informed us that the pass had been damaged, lost or stolen
• it had previously been used fraudulently
• you are no longer entitled to concessionary travel
• we had written to you about the pass and the letter had been returned by Royal Mail
• we had written asking for up to date proof of eligibility or asking for the pass to be returned

If your address or circumstances change please contact us:

Concessionary Bus Pass
Passenger Transport
Wiltshire Council
County Hall,
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 SJN

Tel 0300 4560100
Email concessionarybuspasses@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window)

Are companion passes covered by the national scheme?

Yes. The companion bus pass allows the pass holder only, but not the companion, free travel anywhere in England at off peak times.

Additionally this pass allows a companion to travel free with the named pass holder within Wiltshire and the areas of Swindon, Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Dorset (not Bournemouth or Poole), Hampshire, and South Gloucestershire.

Companion passes carry the symbol C+ to enable the bus drivers to recognise them.

What happens if I lose my bus pass?

Information about lost or stolen bus passes can be found on Concessionary bus pass page.

Where can I use my bus pass?

Anywhere in England, but not Scotland or Wales.

If I visit another area that offers additional services, will I be entitled to them?

Probably not. As a general rule, local authorities will only provide additional services for their own residents.

Can I travel free in Wiltshire outside off-peak hours?

Information about travel time usage can be found on Concessionary bus pass page. Off peak-hours are 9.30am to 11pm Monday to Friday, and all day weekends and bank holidays.

What should I do if the bus driver says my bus pass is no longer valid because it is cancelled, blocked or hot-listed?

Contact us on 0300 456 0100 or email concessionarybuspasses@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window) to receive individual advice.

When someone has been issued with more than one bus pass, only the most recently issued bus pass is valid for free travel, even though they may both have the same expiry date.

What is the definition of a 'local' bus?

This will be self evident in most cases. Longer distance buses, coach services, park and ride buses and sightseeing buses might not accept the bus pass. If in doubt, check with the service operator.

I don't live in London, but I visit relatives there occasionally - will I get the same benefits as a Freedom Pass holder if I travel there?

No, Those benefits are paid for by the London authorities, only London Freedom Pass holders will be able to enjoy additional local travel on the tube, trains and trams. You will, however, be able to enjoy the statutory national concession of free off-peak travel. The bus pass will not be able to be read on the card readers on buses in London. Just show the pass to the driver.

Further information

Concessionary bus pass

GOV.UK: Apply for an older person's bus pass (opens new window)