How to apply for or renew an older person’s bus pass
You can apply for a bus pass using our online application form. Or a family member or friend can help you by completing it on your behalf.
If you are applying for a new bus pass you will need an electronic copy of your photograph before completing the form. If you are renewing your pass, you may use your existing image if you wish.
Please allow 10 to 15 working days for your bus pass to arrive at your address.
Please note that renewal reminders will not be sent out to you.
Milton Keynes City Council will not refund bus pass fares incurred while applications for new or replacement passes are being processed.
Eligibility for an older person’s bus pass
Eligible older people are entitled to free off-peak travel on local buses anywhere in England.
You will be eligible for a pass issued by Milton Keynes City Council if:
- your only or main residence is within the borough of Milton Keynes. If you live on a boat, we can also issue a pass if you are able to provide a copy of a mooring licence for one of the marinas within Milton Keynes.
- you are the appropriate age, whether you are male or female. You can check your eligibility using Direct Gov’s State Pension Calculator – please input your date of birth, which will give you your entitlement age for a Milton Keynes bus pass.
The benefits of an older person’s bus pass
Bus passes issued by Milton Keynes City Council are valid:
- anywhere in the Milton Keynes area from 9:30 to midnight, Monday to Friday
- anywhere in England from 09:30 to 23:00, Monday to Friday (passes are accepted in some local authority areas at additional times, Monday to Friday)
- anywhere in England all day at weekends and on public holidays
How to apply for or renew a Disabled Person’s bus pass
You can apply for a bus pass using our online application form. Or a family member or friend can help you by completing it on your behalf.
Please ensure that you have electronic copies of your photograph and documents as evidence of your disability, before completing the form. If you are renewing your pass you can use your existing photo but we will still need current documents as evidence of your disability.
Please allow 10 to 15 working days for your bus pass to arrive at your address.
Please note that renewal reminders will not be sent out to you.
Milton Keynes City Council will not refund bus pass fares incurred while applications for new or replacement passes are being processed.
You will need to provide evidence of a disability. Please submit a copy of one of the following documents with your application:
- a registration card stating that you are either severely sight impaired (blind), sight impaired (partially sighted) deaf or without speech
- a Certificate of Vision Impairment
- a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions confirming that you are currently in receipt of the higher rate of the Mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (The letter must be dated within the last twelve months)
- a photocopy of your letter of entitlement to the Personal Independence Payment qualifying you under the moving around or communicating verbally section(s) (The letter must be dated within the last twelve months)
- a letter from Milton Keynes Council’s Adult Social Care or Learning Disabilities Team confirming that you have a Learning Disability
- a recent letter from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) confirming that you are medically unfit to drive and have surrendered your licence
- a letter from the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency confirming that you are in receipt of War Pensioner’s Mobility supplement
- a copy of your Milton Keynes Council Disabled Parking Permit number
Eligibility for a Disabled Person’s bus pass
You must be over 5 years of age and meet one of the following:
- be blind or partially sighted
- be profoundly or severely deaf
- be without speech
- have a disability, or injury, which has a substantial and long-term effect on your ability to walk
- have no arms or have long-term loss of the use of both arms
- have a learning disability, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind that started before adulthood and includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning
- would be refused a licence to drive a motor vehicle, should an application be made under Part III of the Road Transport Act 1988, under section 92 of the Act (physical fitness) otherwise than on the grounds of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol
The benefits of a Disabled Person’s bus pass
Holders of a Disabled Person’s Bus Pass are entitled to free off-peak travel on local buses anywhere in England. Off-peak means any service from 09:30 up to 23:00 Monday to Friday or anytime on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
Milton Keynes bus pass holders can also:
- travel on buses within (but not outside of) Milton Keynes UA from midnight until 09:29 Monday to Friday for just 50p per journey
- travel for free between 23:00 and midnight
Companion passes
Milton Keynes City Council does not issue companion passes. Companion passes issued by other authorities are not valid for travel within Milton Keynes.
Lost, damaged or stolen bus passes
If your card becomes lost, damaged or stolen please telephone Milton Keynes City Council. A new one will be issued to you as long as the pass has not expired. A £10 non-refundable charge is made for all lost, damaged or stolen passes. If your lost, damaged or stolen card has expired then you will need to complete a renewal form.
Details of the Concessionary Travel Scheme applicable to operators of local bus services and demand responsive transport services within Milton Keynes Unitary Authority, and to holders of concessionary passes who board such services within this area, are outlined in the Milton Keynes City Council Concessionary Travel Schemes document.
