Concessionary Travel on the Isle of Wight

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme enables eligible residents of the Isle of Wight to travel on local buses during off-peak times anywhere in England and at the times as detailed below on the island.

Application process

To apply for this concession, please download and complete the application form (PDF, 106KB, 2 pages).

Please read the guidance notes contained within the form. Once you have completed this form please take it to County Hall, Newport or your local library. You will need to provide the following evidence:

  • a recent full colour passport photograph of yourself on a light background.
  • proof of your address in your own name not older than three months, e.g. a utility bill, bank statement or any other official letter.
  • if you are applying for a senior person pass, please provide proof of age.
  • if you are applying for a disability pass, please provide proof of disability not older than 12 months.

Guidance notes for new applications on the basis of age

The age of eligibility for concessionary travel for women will be pensionable age. For men it will be the pensionable age of a woman born on the same day. An online calculator is available.

Guidance notes for new applications on the basis of disability

When applying please ensure that you provide specific evidence of your disability, as specified below, for the category under which you believe you qualify. Please note that the evidence must confirm that the disability is likely to last a minimum of 12 months from the date of application.

The seven statutory categories of disabled person include anyone who:

Category A ‘is blind or partially sighted’

  1. please contact the Sensory Service, Wight Sense who will assist you with your application, or,
  2. supply a signed letter on headed paper from a medical professional confirming the statement above

Category B ‘is profoundly or severely deaf’

  1. you have a signed letter on headed paper from a medical professional confirming the statement above

Category C ‘is without speech’

  1. you have been awarded personal independence payment (PIP), with eight points or more against the ‘communicating verbally’ activity, or,
  2. you have a signed letter on headed paper from a medical professional confirming the statement above

Category D ‘has a disability, or has suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his ability to walk’

  1. you are in receipt of the higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance, or,
  2. you have been awarded personal independence payment (PIP), with eight points or more against the ‘moving around’ activity, or,
  3. you are in receipt of war pensioners mobility supplement, or,
  4. you are in receipt of a disabled person’s parking permit (blue badge) if issued prior to 30 August 2019, or,
  5. you have a signed letter on headed paper from a medical professional confirming the statement above

Category E ‘does not have arms or has long-term loss of the use of both arms’

  1. you have a signed letter on headed paper from a medical professional confirming the statement above.

Category F ‘has a learning disability, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning’

  1. you have a signed letter on headed paper from a medical professional confirming the statement above, or,
  2. you have a signed letter on headed paper from a Childrens or Adults Social Care worker confirming the statement above

Category G ‘would, if he/she applied for the grant of a licence to drive a motor vehicle under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, have his/her application refused pursuant to section 92 of the Act (physical fitness) otherwise than on the ground of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol’

  1. a signed letter on headed paper from a medical professional confirming the statement above, or,
  2. a copy of your licence revocation from the DVLA, including the letter detailing the medical reason, should accompany your application

Bus pass renewal

Bus pass replacement

The ‘New Islander Card’ Local Concessionary Travel Scheme

In addition to the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme the Isle of Wight Council offers the New Islander Card local concession to residents who have a ‘severe and enduring’ mental health problem and residents who could not use bus services without the assistance of a travelling companion.

The Travelling Companion concession is solely available to island residents who have been issued an English National Concessionary Travel Scheme Concession Scheme bus pass on the grounds of disability, or a New Islander Card issued on the grounds of having a mental health problem.

Application process

To apply for this concession, please request an application form from the Transport Service transport.info@iow.gov.uk or visit County Hall, Newport, or your local library

Please read the guidance notes contained within the form.

Once you have completed this form please take it to County Hall, Newport or your local library. You will need to provide the following evidence:

  • a recent a full colour passport photograph of yourself on a light background.
  • proof of your address in your own name not older than three months, e.g. a utility bill, bank statement or any other official letter.
  • additionally, you will need to provide the evidence as detailed below based upon the category of New Islander Card that you are applying for. This evidence must be issued within the last 12 months. Please note that the evidence must confirm that your disability is likely to last a minimum of 12 months from the date of your application.

Gold - has a ‘severe and enduring’ mental health problem

  • A signed letter on headed paper from an Isle of Wight Mental Health Service confirming the statement above

Silver – cannot access public transport without the assistance of a travelling companion

  •  A signed letter on headed paper from a medical professional confirming the statement above

Free Travel on the Isle of Wight at the following times:

Island residents who hold an age-related English National Concessionary Bus Pass and non-Island residents who hold an English National Concessionary Bus Pass, free travel is available on eligible public bus services between the hours of 9.30am and 11pm Monday to Friday and at any time on a Saturday or Sunday or on any day which is a bank holiday.

For Island residents who hold an English National Concessionary Bus pass issued on the grounds of disability or a New Islander Card, free travel is available at any time on any day of the week on eligible local public bus services and Islandline Services.

Concessionary Fares Scheme 2024/25

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