companion travel logo scotland

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Disabled card

Introduction.

• How to apply for a disabled card
• How to use your disabled card
• Change of address disabled card
• Request a replacement disabled card
• Disabled card discounts

The card is available if you are resident in Scotland and have a disability.

Eligible disabled people of fare-paying age (aged five and over) who meet the qualifying criteria, can travel for free, at any time, on any local bus service or scheduled long-distance coach service. The card also entitles you to cheaper fares on First ScotRail trains and the Glasgow Subway. 

The National Entitlement Card scheme also allows for free travel for companions where required by eligible disabled people of any age (including children under 5). 

This card and its application process are managed by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT). Find out more about  applying for a card . For enquires and eligibility information, please contact  SPT . 

As well as using the card for concessionary travel, you can use it for leisure and library services. You should advise leisure and libraries staff that you have a NEC and they will set it up for you to access the service. 

Full scheme eligibility criteria can be found  Eligibility and Conditions for the 60+ or Disabled Traveller .

Companions can make travel much easier, helping you to get on and off buses, carrying shopping and communicating with the driver. You can stay free and mobile, while making full use of your NEC. 

Companions can travel for free with all NEC holders that have this logo on their card.

Your companion and journey can vary, but your companion can only travel for free when they are with you. You are not obliged to travel with a companion, but the entitlement is there for when you need it. 

Please note that companions must be aged 5 or over. 

Eligibility

Your companion is entitled to travel for free if you meet one of the following criteria: 

You live in a care/residential home or hospital and are eligible for the higher or middle rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance, or Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance. In many cases, DWP benefit may be suspended whilst someone is in care or hospital - in that case, you can provide a letter from the hospital/care home confirming that you live there and receive 24-hour care. 

You receive the higher or middle rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance. 

You receive the standard or enhanced rate of daily living component of Personal Independence Payment. 

You receive Attendance Allowance. 

You are registered as severely sight impaired (blind). 

You receive war pensions constant attendance allowance. 

If you receive Attendance Allowance, the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance under the higher/middle rate of care or live in a care or residential home or hospital, you'll need a letter to confirm your eligibility. For details on getting your letter, please contact the  disability benefits helpline . 

If you are registered as severely sight impaired (blind), please provide a copy of your registration certificate.

Page last updated: 05 May 2022

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South Lanarkshire's National Entitlement Card

Frequently asked questions.

Click a question to reveal the answer.

The companion card entitles the holder of a disabled concessionary National Entitlement Card to have one person travel for free with them on the bus, there are some restrictions to the use of this card, i.e. the companion will not travel free on premium fares on night buses.

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• Citizens Advice Scotland

Help with travel costs if you're older or disabled

This advice applies to Scotland. See advice for See advice for England , See advice for Northern Ireland , See advice for Wales

You might be able to pay less or travel free on public transport if you:

are an older or disabled traveller

live in a more remote community in Scotland.

You can check if you're eligible and how to claim concessionary fares for bus, train and ferry travel.

You should also check with your local council to find out if there are any other concessionary travel schemes in your area.

Check if you can get free bus and coach travel in Scotland

You can get free bus and long-distance coach travel in Scotland if you’re:

under 60, disabled and meet certain conditions. 

You'll be eligible on the grounds of disability if you:

get Disability Living Allowance at the higher rate of the mobility component, or at the higher or middle rate of the care component 

get Child Disability Payment at the higher rate of the mobility component, or at the highest or middle rate of the care component

get Short-term Assistance while you challenge a Child Disability Payment decision about the higher rate of the mobility component, or the middle or highest rate of the care component

get Personal Independence Payment

get Adult Disability Payment

get Short-term Assistance while you challenge an Adult Disability Payment decision

get Attendance Allowance

have a blue badge

are profoundly or severely deaf

have been told not to drive on medical grounds or you would be refused a driving licence, for example if you would not meet the eyesight standard

have a learning disability or mental health condition that has lasted for more than a year. You must need to travel to health or social care appointments as part of treatment activities, care or for rehabilitation. Your ability to travel must also be impaired

are terminally ill

have a progressive degenerative condition and mobility problems

have lost one or more limbs

are an injured veteran with mobility problems

are under 16 and have a diagnosis of severe sight impairment that's been confirmed by an optician or doctor

are 16 or over and registered blind or partially sighted.

There's information about registering as sight impaired on the  Royal National Institute of Blind People website . 

Bus travel if you’re aged 5 to 21

You can apply for a card to get free bus travel for young people. This might be a good option if you do not need a companion because you won’t need to renew your card when your proof that you’re disabled expires. Find out more about  getting free bus travel if you’re under 22 .

If you need a companion to travel with you, it might be better to apply for a bus pass on the grounds of disability. You’ll need to:

show proof that you’re disabled and need a companion

renew your card when your evidence expires.

You can apply for free companion travel when you apply for your bus pass. 

How to apply for a bus pass

The pass is called a National Entitlement Card. 

Find out how to apply in your area by contacting your local council or Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT). You'll also need to send evidence. 

Find  contact details to apply for a National Entitlement Card on the Transport Scotland website . 

Check what  evidence you need to apply for a National Entitlement Card on the Transport Scotland website .

Replacing your National Entitlement Card

If your National Entitlement Card was issued because you're aged 60 or over, it won't have an expiry date.

If your card was issued because you're disabled, it will have an expiry date. You'll need to provide current evidence when you apply for a replacement card.

If your card is lost, stolen or damaged you should contact your local council or SPT to ask for a new one.

Find the  contact details to replace your National Entitlement Card on the Transport Scotland website .

Where you can use your bus pass

Your National Entitlement Card is your bus pass. It gives you the same rights as a full-fare paying passenger.

You can use it to travel in Scotland on almost all local and long-distance bus services. You can use it for as many journeys as you want.

You cannot use your bus pass on some services, such as premium-fare night buses and city sightseeing buses. 

Free bus travel for a companion

You can get free bus travel for a companion if you cannot travel alone because you're disabled. You can apply for this at the same time as a card for yourself.

Your companion does not have to be the same person every time you travel, but they have to be over 5 years of age.

You'll need proof that you're not able to travel alone like your benefit award letter or a copy of your blind registration certificate.

You'll be eligible for free companion travel if you:

live in a care home, residential home or hospital and you're eligible for the higher or middle rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Adult Disability Payment or Attendance Allowance

get Disability Living Allowance at the higher or middle rate of the care component 

get Child Disability Payment at the highest or middle rate of the care component

get Short-term Assistance while you challenge a Child Disability Payment decision about the highest or middle rate of the care component

get Personal Independence Payment at the standard or enhanced rate of the daily living component

get Adult Disability Payment at the standard or enhanced rate of the daily living component

get Short-term Assistance while you challenge an Adult Disability Payment decision about the standard or enhanced rate of the daily living component

get war pensions constant attendance allowance

are registered as severely sight impaired (blind)

are under 16 and have a diagnosis of severe sight impairment that's been confirmed by an optician or doctor. 

You can get more information about  travelling with a companion on the Transport Scotland website .

Bus pass and free companion travel if you're not eligible for Personal Independence Payment

If you have a free bus pass or a bus pass with a companion logo and you're assessed for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) but don’t qualify for it, you can keep your card until it expires.

How to report misuse of free bus passes

You can report misuse of free bus passes, such as:

passengers using passes which don't belong to them

passengers using fraudulent cards

bus firms giving passengers a ticket for a longer journey than they actually make.

You can call Transport Scotland free on 0800 328 5690 , or email  [email protected] .

Using buses and coaches if you're disabled

You can find out more about  access rights when travelling by bus .

Train travel

You can find information about  concessionary travel schemes on the National Rail website .

If travelling by train is difficult because you're disabled, you might be eligible to travel free under the  Scottish National Blind Persons Scheme  or to buy a Disabled Persons Railcard.

Disabled Persons Railcard

If you have the Disabled Persons Railcard you can get:

1/3 off most rail fares throughout Great Britain.

1/3 off an adult companion's rail fare. 

The Disabled Persons Railcard costs £20 for a 1-year card, or £54 for a 3-year card.

You can get a Disabled Persons Railcard if you:

are registered as blind or partially sighted - there's information about registration on the Royal National Institute of Blind People website

are registered as deaf or use a hearing aid

have epilepsy and either: have repeated attacks even though you receive drug treatment; or are not allowed to drive because of your epilepsy

get Child Disability Payment or Disability Living Allowance, either at the higher or lower rate of the mobility component or at the higher or middle rate of the care component

get Adult Disability Payment or Personal Independence Payment

get Severe Disablement Allowance

get War Pensioner's Mobility Supplement

get War or Service Disablement Pension for 80% or more

are buying or leasing a vehicle through the Motability scheme.

You can find out how to apply on the Disabled Persons Railcard website .

If you're disabled but don't have a railcard

There are other concessionary discounts on fares available for registered blind and partially sighted people or wheelchair users who do not have a Disabled Persons Railcard:

34% off first class, or standard anytime singles or returns

34% off first class, or standard anytime day single

50% off first class, or standard anytime day return.

Season tickets for blind or partially sighted people

If you're registered blind or partially sighted, you can buy 1 adult season ticket that lets a companion travel with you on National Rail services for free. It does not have to be the same person travelling with you on every journey.

If you're travelling on your own, you might qualify for free travel under the  Scottish National Blind Persons Scheme .

You can find more information about eligibility and the proof you will need when buying a railcard or claiming concessionary fares on the  Disabled Persons Railcard website .

Ferry travel

You can get 2 free return ferry journeys to the Scottish mainland each year if you:

are a resident of the Western Isles, Orkney or Shetland, and

have a National Entitlement Card for free bus travel in Scotland.

You can get more information about  free ferry travel on the Transport Scotland website .

You might be entitled to free ferry travel under the Scottish National Blind Persons scheme if you:

are registered blind or partially sighted, and

have the eye symbol on your National Entitlement Card.

To find out if your journey is free, check with the ferry operator.

Scottish National Blind Persons scheme

This is a voluntary scheme operated by local councils, COSLA and transport operators.

The scheme offers free rail, ferry and tram travel to registered blind or partially sighted people in Scotland.

To be eligible for the Scottish National Blind Persons scheme, your National Entitlement Card must have the eye symbol on it.

Contact your local council to find out more about the scheme.

This scheme does not offer free or concessionary rail travel to a companion. For information about concessionary rail travel for a companion, see  Disabled Persons Railcard  and  season tickets .

Air Discount Scheme for Highlands and Islands

If you live in Colonsay, Orkney, Shetland, the Western Isles, Islay, Jura, Caithness or North West Sutherland you might be entitled to reduced air fares on certain routes.

If you're a student from one of these areas studying away from home you can also use the scheme.

The Scottish government Air Discount Scheme gives a discount of 50% on the air fare on certain routes. Find more information, including how to register to use the scheme, on the  Air Discount Scheme website .

Local concessionary schemes

You should check with your local council if there are any special travel schemes available in your area. Some local councils fund special travel schemes for particular groups in the community. This would be in addition to the National Entitlement Card.

Some local councils run Taxi Card schemes for people with severe mobility difficulties, who cannot use public transport, to be able to use taxis at a reduced rate.

In some areas, you can't have both a National Entitlement Card and a Taxi Card.

Help with travel costs for jobseekers

You can get some help with travel costs if you're a jobseeker.

You can get a Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card from your local job centre. You need to have been claiming Jobseeker's Allowance or job hunting and claiming Universal Credit. You need to have been claiming the relevant benefit for:

3 to 9 months if you're 18 to 24 years old, or

3 to 12 months if you're over 25 years old.

Different travel providers might offer different deals. Once you have your Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card, check what is on offer from the transport providers that you need to use.

From ScotRail, you can claim 2 free return tickets per month to attend interviews. Once you have a job, you can get a free ScotRail ticket for the first month at work. For more information go to the  ScotRail website .

There are also discounts available from Stagecoach. Find out more on the  Stagecoach website .

Help with the travel costs of starting a job

If you’re starting a job, you might be able to get a Job Start Payment to help with travel costs if you’re:

16 to 24 years old, or a care leaver aged 16 to 25

getting certain benefits.

Find out more about Job Start Payment .

Accessible Vehicle and Blue Badge schemes

If you’re eligible for a bus or rail pass, you might also be able to get:

a car, scooter or powered wheelchair from the Accessible Vehicle and Equipment scheme

a Blue Badge - to help you or someone who drives you around park more conveniently. 

You might be entitled to more concessions if you have a Blue Badge, such as exemption from road tax.

You can find out more about the Blue Badge scheme .

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Need support with sight loss? 

0800 024 8973

Travel concessions and travel cards for blind and partially sighted people

Transport and mobility.

Here is a summary of some travel concessions and travel cards for which blind and partially sighted people could be eligible.

National Entitlement Card

In Scotland, the National Entitlement Card (NEC) gives sight impaired and severely sight impaired travellers free bus travel and free and concessionary standard class travel on transport across Scotland, with concessions on ferries in Scotland only. Some privately owned ferries, premium airport buses and bus tours may not be included.

 • A National Entitlement Card will have an eye symbol on it for sighted impaired or severely sight impaired travellers.

• If the cardholder cannot travel alone, and they have a card with a +1 sign beside the eye symbol, this indicates concessionary travel for the cardholder plus a travelling companion. The companion element is only available if the user is registered as severely sight impaired or is in receipt of medium or higher rates or care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)/Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Attendance Allowance (AA). Not every local authority concessionary travel scheme may provide concessionary travel for a companion as well – you should check with your local authority what their scheme provides.

• A National Entitlement Card will be valid until a certain date and needs to be replaced when the card date expires.

How to apply for a National Entitlement Card

Local authorities in Scotland issue the National Entitlement Card. To apply for the card, please contact your local authority or contact Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT). You will then need to complete an application form. For further information, visit https://www.nec.scot/

Disabled Persons Railcard

 A Disabled Persons Railcard can be used for rail travel in Scotland, England and Wales. The card gives you a third off rail travel fares for you and a travel companion. How to apply for a Disabled Persons Railcard You can apply online or via post by completing the form at disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk or you can pick up a form at a train station. For further information, visit disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk

 The Blue Badge scheme enables Blue Badge holders to park on-street in reserved disabled parking spaces near a venue so that services can be accessed more easily. Though the parking concessions don’t apply to private car parks, some may still have signage indicating concessions for Blue Badge holders. The Blue Badge is valid only when the registered badge holder is travelling. You are automatically eligible for a Blue Badge if you are registered as severely sight impaired and you may be eligible if you are sight impaired. You can also be eligible if you have severe mobility problems or you are in receipt of certain benefits.

How to apply for a Blue Badge in Scotland

 In Scotland, Blue Badges are administered by local authorities. Contact your local authority to apply. You can also apply online at mygov.scot/apply-blue-badge

For further information and advice, get in touch with our friendly team through the Sight Scotland Support Line : 0800 023 8973

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Supporting disabled children, young people and their families: guidance

Guidance to help improve the experiences of disabled children, young people, and their families.

In this section you can find out …

What can I expect from transport?

How can i plan my journey, where can i go for help using public transport.

• Bus / coach

Can I get discounted travel on public transport?

Can i try out using public transport, i can’t use public transport - how else can i travel.

Under the law transport companies are not allowed to discriminate against disabled people, and they have to make reasonable changes to make it easier for disabled people to travel.

This means you can expect a transport company to give you clear information and help to make your journey successful.

You can also expect the vehicles you travel on to have accessibility features. For example, all buses in Scotland are now low-floor.

Journeys by public transport or cycling can be planned online using Traveline Scotland .

Their journey planner lets you to plan journeys across the country, and has a number of accessibility features. For example, you can plan a journey at a walking pace that suits you.

Traveline Scotland has a 24 hour travel information helpline on 0871 200 22 33.

Through Traveline Scotland you can get contact details for public transport operators, including phone numbers and websites.

You can also get the Traveline Scotland app . This can give you live travel news and updates when you’re on your journey.

To find information and recommendations about accessible destinations and accommodation, you can find more information at Visit Scotland .

Euan's Guide lets users rate how accessible the places they visit are for disabled people. Visit the site to can see ratings to plan trips.

Transport providers provide extra help for disabled people. This help is free. In some cases you will need to book in advance.

To make it easier to explain your assistance needs without other people overhearing, you can download the Thistle Assistance Card app to your phone.

To download the App please use the following links for both Apple and Android enabled devices: Apple App Store  and Play Store .

Here is an explanation of the extra help you can get on different kinds of transport:

You could get free travel on most bus services in Scotland, and In some cases  free travel on other public transport services, through the national Concessionary Travel Scheme.  

You can contact your local authority or Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to get a National Entitlement Card.

You may be entitled to have a companion travel for free, too, but you will need to provide additional evidence will be needed for this.

More information is available on mygov.scot .

If you would like coaching or individual support to access public transport independently, talk to your local council about travel training.

They may be able to organise someone to mentor you making a journey, or give you further information about suitable services.

Transport providers allow you to try their vehicles and services yourself before making a journey. For example, some bus companies will let you try out a bus at a bus station or depot before you go. You can also ask an airport for a tour before a flight. Just contact the transport operator to find out more.

You could book transport services.

An example is the MyBus bookable bus service if you live in the Strathclyde area. MyBus will pick you up and drop you off as close as possible to your destination. All vehicles are low-floor and wheelchair friendly. The driver will give help to board the bus from the pavement. If you have a bus pass, travel is free.

Bookable bus services are one kind of community transport. Community transport is a local door-to-door transport service which can carry you if you are unable to use public transport.

You need to book in advance and there may be a charge, but this is normally less than driving or taking a taxi. To find your local community transport service you can search online at the Community Transport Association or contact your local authority.

You can use taxis, or private hire cars. Ask your local council for a list of taxis and private hire companies in your area that provide wheelchair accessible vehicles.

Some local authorities offer concessions on taxis. Taxicards provide scheme members with subsidised taxi fares for pre-booked journeys. You can only make a limited number of Taxicard trips each year. To find out about Taxicard entitlement, contact your local authority.

  Cycling

If you’d like to get an adapted ebike, there’s an interest free loan available. And if a non ebike is more suitable to meet an individual's needs, you might still be eligible for the loan. To find out more contact the Energy Saving Trust ..

Details of the National Cycle Network (which includes easy cycle routes) can be found at Sustrans .

If you want to drive and need help getting lessons, the Motability Scheme could help. The scheme enables disabled people to use their mobility allowances to get a new car, powered wheelchair or scooter. Motability may also be able to provide grants to disabled people who would otherwise be unable to afford the vehicle, adaptations or driving lessons they need. For more information visit the Motability website or call 0300 456 4566.

Traffic Scotland provides a travel news service and a 24-hour traffic customer care line on 0800 028 1414, providing details of current road conditions on Scotland’s motorways and trunk roads. You can get a Traffic Scotland app that keeps you up-to-date. Other road problems should be reported to the local authority responsible.

A Blue Badge can help if you need to park closer to where you want to go, but it’s only for people with severe mobility problems. You can apply online at the mygov.scot website .

If you are a badge holder, you can ask that a disabled parking place be created near to your home. Mygov provide information about eligibility criteria or contact the Roads Department in your local authority directly.

Updated financial support and transitions sections.

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Fair Fares Review

Pdf version.

• View Fair Fares Review fair-fares-review.pdf -->

Supporting papers

• Public Transport System Analysis
• Case for Change
• Poverty Alliance Research Report
• International Benchmarking
• Rationale for intervention
• Inception of the Fair Fares Review
• Strategic context
• The scope of the Fair Fares Review and our approach
• A fairer public transport system for Scotland
• Recommendations and actions
• Annex A – Options not being progressed

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Young Scot card

The Young Scot National Entitlement Card (NEC) is available free of charge to everyone aged 11 to 25 living in Scotland.

You can use it to:

• get exclusive rewards and discounts 
• travel 
• prove your age

Visit the Young Scot website for information on:

• how to apply for a Young Scot card
• how to update your photo or details
• what you can use the Young Scot card for

If you're 16, 17 or 18 you can get cheaper transport with your Young Scot card on:

• ferries, if you live on an island

You can travel on the bus for free if you're under 22.

Train travel

You can use your Young Scot card when booking discounted train travel. There are some restrictions on the amount of discount and the time you can travel.

If you already have a Young Scot card, and you live on a Scottish island, you'll be sent 4 free ferry vouchers each year while you're 16, 17 and 18.

The vouchers can only be used by you and will have your photo and card number printed on them. You must carry your Young Scot card with you when making a ferry trip.

You can travel for free on the bus in Scotland if you're under 22. You can update your Young Scot card or order a new one with free bus travel.

Find out more about appyling for an under 22s bus pass .

Proof of age

You can use the Young Scot card to prove how old you are.

Every Young Scot card has a PASS hologram, meaning that your age and personal details have been verified by your card issuer and that you are who you say you are.

The PASS scheme is backed by the Police and Trading Standards, and it is valid in Scottish law.

Update or replace a card

Contact your local council  or getyourNEC.scot if you need to:

• update the details on your Young Scot card or change your photo
• replace your Young Scot card

Help and support

To get help or support with your Young Scot card you should contact your local council or visit Young.Scot.

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