Take good care of it – if you forget it or it gets damaged and doesn’t work, you’ll need to pay the fare.It’s your card and only your card – your friends can’t borrow it.You will need a new or replacement NEC or Young Scot NEC to travel for free on the bus.What’s more, you can collect points by taking part in activities and exchanging these for Rewards. You can use it to save money with in-person and online discounts – with over 500 discounts in Scotland and over 100,000 deals across Europe. If you are over 11 years old you can choose to apply for the Young Scot NEC. Make sure you have your card with you and then when you get on the bus, tell the bus driver where you are going, tap it on the electronic card reader to use it and the smart technology will do the rest.

The ARC is not accepted as proof of identity on its own, or for online applications as, under the UK Proof of Age Scheme (PASS), it cannot be used to establish evidence of identification online and there is no online equivalent to the help provided offline to support applications. When an application is made in person, officials can vouch for an applicant (or a parent acting on their behalf) by considering other information/evidence which cannot be used in the online application process. The Application Registration Card (ARC), issued by the Home Office, can be used in conjunction with other information/evidence to apply for a NEC in person, through your local council. To apply, find out what documents you can use to provide proof on the NEC website. As with all others of those ages living in Scotland, they can apply for a National Entitlement Card (NEC) to access free bus travel. Asylum seekers and refugeesĪsylum seekers and refugees aged between 5 and 21 can access the scheme. Briefly, 'out of date passports' can be used to support an application and proof of residency documents may be dated within the last 12 months. The acceptable 'proofs' you can provide for the Young Persons' Free Bus Travel Scheme whether applying online or through offline application routes allow some extra flexibility - see Frequently Asked Questions for full details. The Scottish Government is working in partnership with the Improvement Service (who are accountable for the NEC Scheme), National Entitlement Card Programme Office (who are responsible for the management of the NEC and support local authorities with the application process), and Young Scot to deliver the scheme. This means you may not need to apply for a new card to access your free bus travel.Īctive cards are those received since 2016 – they’ll have a long number next to the ITSO logo and, if there’s a date of birth shown, it will be highlighted with a pink strip.įind out more about how to download and use the app. If you’re aged between 16 and 21 and you already have an active NEC or Young Scot NEC issued prior to when applications opened on 10 January 2022, you can download free bus travel onto your existing card using the Transport Scot Pass Collect app. Learn more about how you can apply for the scheme. Previously issued cards will not allow access to the scheme. Children under 5 years old already travel for free on buses and don’t need a card.Ĭhildren and young people aged 5-21 years old will need a new or replacement National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot National Entitlement Card (Young Scot NEC) before hopping on board. You must be resident in Scotland for the majority of the year (at least six months). If you live in Scotland and are 5-21 years old you are eligible for a card giving you free bus travel.

You will need a National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot NEC with the valid free travel entitlement with you whenever you want to take the bus – otherwise you’ll have to pay for your trip. All young people and children aged 5-21 years can apply for a card to access the Young Persons’ (Under 22s) Free Bus Travel Scheme.

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