Concessionary Travel Scheme

Carlisle City Council funds and administers a Concessionary Fares Scheme for older residents and eligible disabled residents. From 6th April the date that residents qualify for an elderly bus pass changes in line with pension changes, to check what date you qualify after your 60th birthday click here, this is the same for men and women.

From 1 April 2008 travel is free on any local bus service in England weekdays after 9:30am and before 11:00pm and all day at weekends and bank holidays.

Carlisle residents who have a NoWcard issued by Carlisle City Council can travel free at any time on buses which start their journey within Carlisle City Council's area.

Any eligible resident who has yet to apply can call into the Customer Contact Centre during normal office hours. Two forms of identification are required, one to show proof of age or disability and the other to confirm the address. See How to apply for a Bus Pass

Under improvements to the Concessionary Fares Scheme introduced on 1st April 2002, eligible residents can choose to have national Railcards free of charge as an alternative to a Bus Pass. Railcard holders get a third off the cost of most train journeys.

To qualify, applicants must meet the eligibility criteria of both Carlisle City Council's Concessionary Fares Scheme and ATOC (Association of Train Operating Companies) railcard conditions.

Eligible residents can purchase a railcard if they want to have a free bus pass and rail card details are available on the Senior railcard or Disabled railcard pages.

The National Concessionary Travel Scheme introduced in April 2008 allows for free off peak travel on local bus services throughout England. This did not include free travel on coach excursions, National Express services or long distance express type services, trams or the London Underground.  Please note there has been no change to the 'Express Services' which are eligible for the National Concession in Lancashire and Cumbria, or Preston's Park & Ride services as these are registered as local bus services and will continue to accept all England National Concesssion bus passes for off peak travel.

Further information is available on the NoWcard website.