Disabled Person’s Concessionary Travel Card

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THIS PARTICULAR CONCESSIONARY BUS PASS IS DISTRIBUTED BY TRANSPORT FOR WALES, THEREFORE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION APPLIES TO PEOPLE IN WALES ONLY

How to apply, evidence required and website link

You’ll need to provide the following information when you apply:

• Documentation of your address and postcode so we can check you’re a resident of Wales.
• Documentation of your date of birth so we can check you’re entitled to the card you’re applying for.
• Your National Insurance number if you’re over 16. You’ll find this on your pension statements, disability statements or payslips.
• A recent passport-style photograph. If you’re applying on a phone or tablet, you’ll be able to take this at the relevant point in your application; or you can upload one from your computer.
• If you’re applying for a Disabled Person’s Concessionary Travel Card, you’ll need electronic copies of documents that prove your entitlement. Please make sure your documentation includes enough detail; for example, every page submitted (don’t forget the document may be two-sided) and allow us to see the reference numbers at the bottom of every page. You should supply a copy of one of the following pieces of evidence: Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Disability Living Allowance (DLA) award letter, which gives details of a Higher Rate Mobility Component (HRMC) award or Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Statement of Entitlement, which shows 8 or more points under Descriptor 7 “Communicating Verbally”; or 12 points under Descriptor 11 “Planning and Following a Journey”; or 8 or more points under Descriptor 12 “Moving Around”. Please note: The PIP descriptors and their individual scores MUST NOT be added together.

If you’re unsure which documents you’ll need to provide, please contact your local authority who’ll be able to help. Don’t send original copies of any of your documents, as they will not be able to be returned to you.

https://portal.tfw.wales/en/disabled
https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-disabled-bus-pass

Companion Cards

If you qualify for a concessionary bus pass but cannot travel by bus without needing the help of a person to accompany and/support you, you may be eligible to be assessed for a Disabled Person’s Concessionary bus pass with a companion. This will allow someone else to travel with you for free.

If you require a companion card, you’ll need to contact your local council. They’ll assess whether you meet the criteria, and can then process your application. Find information on how to contact your local council here – https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-disabled-bus-pass

Your local authority will assess whether you meet one of the following criteria:

• Challenging behaviours: the applicant needs to be supervised at all times;
• Severe cognitive and mental impairments (including people who have no awareness of risk and limited ability to plan and follow a journey);
• A combination of visual and hearing loss or visual and speech loss that prevents independent mobility; or
• Difficulties using a wheelchair independently.

Additional information

• If your application has been approved, you should receive your card within 10 working days.
• The Concessionary Travel Card is valid on all eligible bus services that operate in Wales. This includes those commencing/terminating at points in England, provided that the cross-boundary journey doesn’t involve a change of bus in England. You can also use selected rail services operating in Wales.
• Please be aware that you can’t use your card on coach services such as National Express, Megabus or City Sightseeing. However, companies may offer discounts to Concessionary Travel Cardholders.
• You can travel for free on the following Transport for Wales rail services:
  • Wrexham – Hawarden Bridge
  • Machynlleth – Pwllheli (Cambrian Coastline) – October to March only
  • Llandudno – Blaenau Ffestiniog (Conwy Valley line)
  • Shrewsbury and Llanelli/Swansea (Heart of Wales Line) – October to March only
• You’ll need to show your Concessionary Travel Card to get a free ticket from the ticket office before you travel. If there’s no ticket office or if it’s closed, you can get one from the conductor on the train.
• You can also get 1/3 off tickets to travel on the Cardiff and Valley network after 0930 Monday – Friday and any time at weekends and bank holidays.