Free bus pass: Young people now eligible for travel benefit – but only in Scotland

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Those between the ages of five to 21 in Scotland are now able to apply for free bus travel across the country, with the majority of transport operators accepting it. However, certain bus services such as premium-fare night buses and City Sightseeing buses will not accept the pass. According to the Scottish Government, the focus on the benefit scheme is to support young people who need to make essential daily journeys, which can include work, school, medical appointments and caring responsibilities.

Applications are currently open for the free bus pass scheme which will be rolled out to eligible young people in Scotland as of January 31, 2022.

Due to the devolved Government in Scotland still encouraging households to remain at home due to the Omicron variant, young people are being encouraged to only apply for the pass and use it in order to make essential journeys.

In order to receive the benefit, eligible young people in Scotland must have either a National Entitlement Card (NEC) or a Young Scot NEC.

Applicants can apply for one via the Entitlement Card website. To update the services provided by the card, current owners of an NEC must apply for a new or replacement card.

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Any previously issued cards by the NEC scheme will not be eligible for the free bus pass travel benefit.

When getting on a bus, claimants must be able to show either card to receive their free travel entitlement. If the card is not on them, they will need to pay full price for their ticket.

Scotland’s devolved Government is working alongside the Improvement Service, the NEC programme Office and Young Scot to roll out the “freebie” benefit.

The free bus pass, through the National Entitlement Card, is only eligible for the person who it was issued to so cannot be shared among multiple people.

As it is included with the NEC, the bus pass will be in the form of a smart card so bus users will only need to tap their pass on the electronic reader to get free travel.

Anyone over the age of 11 can choose to apply for the Young Scot NEC, which alongside the travel card can be used to save money on various discounts.

Graeme Dey, the Scottish Government’s Minister for Transport, outlined why young people across the region should jump at the chance to secure this “freebie” benefit.

Mr Day said: “I’m delighted that the under-22s free bus travel scheme will go live as planned on January 31, with applications open now for children and young people to get their new or replacement national entitlement card (NEC) or Young Scot NEC.

“The current phase of the pandemic means that we are encouraging people to stay at home as much as possible.

“But there are many essential reasons for children and young people to travel by bus and I am keen that they benefit from this scheme at the earliest opportunity.

“Therefore, we are asking that only those for whom bus travel is essential apply at this time.

“This will help to minimise pressure on local councils, also impacted by the pandemic, which will be processing applications and responding to queries.”

Kirsten Urquhart, the Chief Executive of Young Scot said: “We are excited about the positive impact that free bus travel will have on the lives of young people.

“The application stage is now open, allowing young people who need to travel by bus for essential reasons, to get a new or replacement National Entitlement Card or Young Scot National Entitlement Card.

“Once they have their new card, they’ll be able to travel by bus for free.”

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