Concessionary Bus Passes In Scotland & Wales?

[phil8715]

In Northern Ireland pensioners can use their passes on the buses and trains, and they can be used all over Ireland.

Is this the same for Scotland and Wales? Where you can use both train and buses?

 

[michael769]

The Scottish system only applies to buses.

There are still some local authority schemes in place that separately give reduced fare travel on the trains For example West Lothian pensioners get half price off peak travel on the Bathgate and Shotts lines to Edinburgh and intermediate stations.

 

[Greenback]

In Wales the bus pass covers the whole country. Some trains are included, such as the four Heart of Wales line services, but not during the busier Summer period.

 

[phil8715]

In Wales the bus pass covers the whole country. Some trains are included, such as the four Heart of Wales line services, but not during the busier Summer period.

Thats what I thought.

 

[PaulLothian]

The Scottish system only applies to buses.

There are still some local authority schemes in place that separately give reduced fare travel on the trains For example West Lothian pensioners get half price off peak travel on the Bathgate and Shotts lines to Edinburgh and intermediate stations.

The West Lothian scheme is slightly more generous than shown above, with 50% discount on a few tickets outside the area. See http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/Concessionary-Fares/West_Lothian.html

Given the current cost-cutting in all council areas, I bet West Lothian withdraws that extra benefit before I get my Concessionary Pass next year :cry:

 

[phil8715]

The English concessionary scheme for both disabled and pensioners are the most ungenerous of the 4 regions.

I've noticed that our excuse of a government have stopped giving concessions on National Express.

 

[taxidave]

An English concessionary bus pass is not valid in Wales.

 

[dvboy]

An English concessionary bus pass is valid on trains in the West Midlands PTE area.

 

[phil8715]

I know you can use Blackpool trams with a Lancashire pass.

 

[tony_mac]

An English concessionary bus pass is valid on trains in the West Midlands PTE area.

This doesn't seem to be accurate - it's only valid on trains if you are resident in the West Midlands.
Other areas (such as London, Manchester, Merseyside, South Yorkshire) also offer free local rail travel only to their residents.

 

[dggar]

An English concessionary bus pass is not valid in Wales.

Is a Welsh pass valid on buses in England?

 

[Welshman]

No - but it does allow journeys into/out of Chester on services from North Wales, provided you are already on board when the border is passed, or travelling into Wales from Chester.

 

[chalkie99]

In Wales the bus pass covers the whole country. Some trains are included, such as the four Heart of Wales line services, but not during the busier Summer period.

I've just tried to look this up as my partner would be interested. However, it seems like these concessions are only available of you are a pass holder in the particular area where the service operates and, additionally, it seems to have expired now anyway.

From the Welsh Government site:

Cerdyn Cymru pass holders benefit from free rail travel on the Conwy Valley Line between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Llandudno, and on the Welsh section of the Wrexham – Bidston Line. The first scheme is open to cardholders from the counties of Conwy and Gwynedd, the second those from Flintshire and Wrexham. The scheme will continue until the end of September 2011 for these railway lines.

The Cambrian Coast scheme operated from the 3 October 2010 for eligible Gwynedd pass holders, and also on the Heart of Wales Line for eligible Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Powys passholders. These schemes have now ended for the 2010/11 season.

 

[quarella]

England/Scotland/Wales concessionary passes are only valid in the nation of issue. There are some cross border agreements in place. In a few locations rail travel is permitted for those holding passes issued by the relevant local authority.

 

[175001]

As pointed out in an earlier post, in Wales, you have to live in the counties that the lines run through to be eligible for free rail travel.

 

[Greenback]

Yes, I should have made that clear in my earlier post. Apologies for the omission.