Free bus travel in Scotland

You can get free bus travel across Scotland if you are a young person aged 5-21, over 60 or have a disability. You can travel at any time on local buses and most long-distance coach services. To use the scheme, you need a National Entitlement Card (NEC), often called a bus pass.

What is the National Entitlement Card (NEC)?

The NEC is a smart card that gives access to travel discounts and other services across Scotland.

It is available to:

• young people aged 11 to 25, who can get discounts with Young Scot and reduced travel fares
• people aged 60 and over, who can get free bus travel
• disabled people, who can get free and discounted travel

How to get your card

You can apply for a free NEC if you:

• are aged 5-21
• are aged 60 or over
• have a qualifying disability

Your card may have an expiry date if you apply under the disability scheme. You must renew it before it expires.

What you can use it for

Your NEC also gives you discounted travel on some trains and the Glasgow subway. Some rules apply to when and how you can use your card.

Apply or find out more

• apply for a young person's free bus travel
• apply for a 60+ card
• apply for a disabled person’s card
• check the help section on getyournec.scot