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Can I use my bus pass on London buses?

(77 Posts)
Howjado Mon 22-Apr-24 12:43:02

Just that really. As a pensioner, will I be able to use my concessionary bus pass, issued in Lincolnshire, on regular London buses? I don't mean the open topped tourist buses.
Thanks, in anticipation of your replies

BigBertha1 Mon 22-Apr-24 12:45:54

What a good question thank you. I would love to know the answer to that too.

Cossy Mon 22-Apr-24 12:49:42

I’m not sure you can use your bus pass outside of your county now??

Witzend Mon 22-Apr-24 12:51:15

Yes, unless they’ve changed the rules I’m pretty sure you can. A sister and BiL who never used theirs at home (no buses) were pleased to be able to use them when they came to stay. Ditto a friend who lived in rural Devon.
Similarly I can use mine in Oxford where a dd lives.

And, AFAIK, anywhere else!

lixy Mon 22-Apr-24 13:03:50

Yes. you should be fine within the usual time limits - after 9.30. But you can't use an English pass in Scotland or Wales - and vice versa I guess.

Theexwife Mon 22-Apr-24 13:04:01

Just googled it, yes you can, anywhere in England between 9.30am and 11pm.

Wheniwasyourage Mon 22-Apr-24 13:07:51

lixy you’re right about Scottish bus passes. They can be used anywhere in Scotland with no time restrictions, but not outside Scotland. We enjoyed the £2 maximum fare when we were on holiday in England though. An excellent idea, and I hope it has worked by getting more people out of cars and on to the bus.

FannyD Mon 22-Apr-24 13:18:05

Yes - did it last week.

Howjado Mon 22-Apr-24 13:29:12

Thank you every one. I will be sure to carry mine with me this weekend.

Judy54 Mon 22-Apr-24 13:31:30

Yes you can use them anywhere in the Country. However they cannot be used on the London underground only by People who live in the Capital.

Retread Mon 22-Apr-24 13:44:15

I was told (by a bus driver when I offered my London Freedom Pass in Oxford) that I can use it nationally. And so I have!

Someone else pointed our that the rose emblem printed on it means it is good nationally.

Most of the bus drivers in London just wave me on when I brandish my card smile

Retread Mon 22-Apr-24 13:44:41

our = out

RosiesMaw Mon 22-Apr-24 14:26:19

I use mine regularly without problem.

Greenfinch Mon 22-Apr-24 14:54:02

I can use mine from 9am in my local area but from 9.30 elsewhere.

Lovetopaint037 Mon 22-Apr-24 14:54:17

Yes. Anywhere in England.

Gin Mon 22-Apr-24 15:02:49

You certainly can use your pass in London but beware, bus journeys are extremely slow because of tge severe congestion. They are good for sight seeing but not if you need to be somewhere at a specific time in my experience.

Callistemon21 Mon 22-Apr-24 15:52:07

lixy

Yes. you should be fine within the usual time limits - after 9.30. But you can't use an English pass in Scotland or Wales - and vice versa I guess.

No, that is very annoying.

You could, however, travel from England to Wales non-stop and vice versa but not take an onward journey.

vintage1950 Mon 22-Apr-24 16:14:36

Yes, you can use it in London.

NotAGran55 Mon 22-Apr-24 16:20:40

I asked this question several years ago before I got my bus pass, and had a very snotty reply from someone who is on here today 😀

I’m planning on using mine for the first time ever next month when I go to London Howjado so I hope it works!
It will be a novelty to travel overground rather than underground. I won’t be in a hurry and I’m quite looking forward to it.

Beechnut Mon 22-Apr-24 16:27:52

Callistemon21

lixy

Yes. you should be fine within the usual time limits - after 9.30. But you can't use an English pass in Scotland or Wales - and vice versa I guess.

No, that is very annoying.

You could, however, travel from England to Wales non-stop and vice versa but not take an onward journey.

If you had an English bus pass and did that Callistemon I’m guessing the thing to do on a return journey from Wales would be to pay to the first bus stop in England and then use your bus pass. Do you know if that’s possible to do ?

Beechnut Mon 22-Apr-24 16:29:23

Sorry Howjado I’ve realised I’ve hijacked your thread .

Callistemon21 Mon 22-Apr-24 16:39:00

Beechnut

Callistemon21

lixy

Yes. you should be fine within the usual time limits - after 9.30. But you can't use an English pass in Scotland or Wales - and vice versa I guess.

No, that is very annoying.

You could, however, travel from England to Wales non-stop and vice versa but not take an onward journey.

If you had an English bus pass and did that Callistemon I’m guessing the thing to do on a return journey from Wales would be to pay to the first bus stop in England and then use your bus pass. Do you know if that’s possible to do ?

It's very confusing if you live on the border, eg if you live in England you might have a Welsh postcode and address!

Welsh Concessionary Bus Pass: You can use your pass with us anytime on any day. Your pass is not valid for travel solely in England. You can travel between any stop in Wales to a stop in England and make the same journey in return.

Versavisa Mon 22-Apr-24 16:39:13

No problem, but be aware that the machines on London buses don’t recognise bus passes from elsewhere. You just have to show the driver the pass and he’ll nod you through.

Callistemon21 Mon 22-Apr-24 16:40:33

I'm presuming someone could use their English bus pass to go into Wales then they should be able to travel back free as long as they don't change buses?

Beechnut Mon 22-Apr-24 16:44:35

Thank you Callistemon.