Senior's Bus Pass

[pipdawg]

Can I get a bus pass at 60? (I'm female, if that's relevant). Some sites say yes. Gov. site says you have to be claiming your state pension

[bhg481]

It depends which country you live in - England is pensionable age. Google it for full information where you live.

[pipdawg]

I live in England

[carrot99]

In London we get a free 60+ oyster so I get free bus, tube, for etc.

https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel/60-plus-oyster-photocard

[carrot99]

Not for but DLR!

[barry1010]

At state pension age in England with the exception of London

[Apc2604]

https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-elderly-person-bus-pass

[Hopkirk]

When I've been to London, I've suspected that very few people pay for their bus journeys.

[Hymie]

On the plus side, you get any prescription medication fee (automatically).
That’s about the only benefit you get now – until your State pension age.

[Tilly2]

If you have regular prescriptions, the prescriptions exemption is a real bonus.

[New Judge]

//When I've been to London, I've suspected that very few people pay for their bus journeys.//

That may be because you don't see anybody part with cash. You cannot pay cash on London's buses.

The 60+ Oyster card is not quite free. It costs £20 (one-off).

[Buenchico]

Yup, as others have indicated, the age for qualifying for a bus pass (for both men and women) was originally set at 60 because that was (at the time) the age at which a woman would qualify for her State Pension.

When the State Pension age started to rise, the qualifying age for a bus pass began rising with it. That means that, based upon the original way of calculating it, the qualifying age should now be 67 (for someone who's just approaching 60). However the administrations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland decided to abandon the link between the State Pension age and the bus pass qualification age and stick to 60. So it's only in England that the qualifying age for a bus pass is 67 (and will rise to 68 when the State Pension age does). Elsewhere in the UK it's still 60.

London is just the same as the rest of England in that the qualifying age for a bus pass (which can be used across England) is 67. However it's known as a Freedom Pass because it also provides free travel on London Underground and National Rail services within the capital. Separate to that though, Londoners can get a free Oyster Card (which is only valid in London, not in the rest of England) at the age of 60. [The Mayor of London is hoping to keep that scheme in place but, due to the rules imposed by the Government in return for state assistance to keep TfL afloat, it's continued viability is currently in doubt].

[pipdawg]

Thanks everybody. Looks like here in Cheshire (as with everywhere else in England except London), I'll have to wait another 6 or so years

[Hopkirk]

NJ, I felt that some people were not swiping an Oyster card, but the driver was unable to monitor and police it. I had a one day travel card and tried to show it but he wasn't interested.

[david small]

A bus? What’s a bus?

[New Judge]

//NJ, I felt that some people were not swiping an Oyster card,//

There's certainly some truth in that, Hoppy. The man problem is not with the front entrance buses where passengers have to pass the driver but with the new "Routemaster" types with have three entrances. These rely entirely on honesty.

[theshedman]

There is an exception to this pension age rule in England and that is if you are disabled.

[emmie]

i got mine years ago because i had/have mental health issues and this was classed as a disability, now i have one, i am based in London, because i turned 66 this year and was entitled to one because i get state pension.

[Peter Pedant]

depends on your local area
Manchester has its own rules

o hahaha I must tell you
Looking a little flakey after a few gins, I was asked for my card, along with my brother who was wearing deaf ear phones - very deaf
and she said - - - is this you?
and I said -- I am being treated for cancer

[Peter Pedant]

my Manchester bus tram card works in London but NOT the tube

honestly you have to check where you live

[barry1010]

Emmie, my council won't give a disabled persons bus pass on grounds of mental health. :(