Bus Pass Validity

All-day free travel for concessionary bus pass holders in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will take effect from April 1 2025 thanks to Combined Authority funding. 

From April 1, they will be able to use their passes for free travel at all hours, providing them with greater flexibility. Only those with a concessionary pass issued by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are eligible for this benefit. It is an additional benefit on top of the nationwide English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS), and pre 9.30am free travel will only apply on journeys that start within the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area. 

Concessionary pass-holders do not need to do anything; free all-day travel will automatically take effect from April 1. If your pass does not scan on the bus you can show it to the driver as a flash card, and provided it is valid and within its expiry date, it must be accepted   

When and where can I use my bus pass?

You can use your new national bus pass for free, off peak travel on any local bus in England, including London.

When travelling and using your pass in London on any TFL bus, you must not tap your pass on the machine. TFL have said to use a (non London) bus pass within London, passengers should present the card directly to the driver, so that they may be visually verified from the photo.

When travelling in other areas outside of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, you may need to use your bus pass as a flash card, rather than tapping it, there also.

Free travel includes using the Cambridge Park & Ride, our Guided Busway and the X1, X4 and X5 services.

Excluded journeys are: long distance coach services, services with bookable seats, trams, tubes and rail travel.

In addition the Combined Authority provides the following benefits to the statutory scheme:

• concessionary bus passes may also be used on certain Dial-A-Ride services to give you a 50% reduction of the fare. Some other local benefits may apply. Please ask your district/city council or Dial-A-Ride scheme for further information

Is your concessionary bus pass valid?
Ticket machines on local bus services throughout Cambridgeshire & Peterborough will indicate if a concessionary travel pass is not valid for travel. This will only affect a small number of passholders.

Why would a pass not be valid?

• If you have informed the Combined Authority that the pass has been lost or stolen
• If it has previously been used fraudulently
• If you are no longer entitled to concessionary travel
• If your pass has expired

What happens if the ticket machine indicates that my pass is no longer valid?
The driver will inform you that your pass is not valid and you will be asked to pay the necessary fare. Refusal to pay will result in you being refused travel.
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority has instructed the driver to collect all invalid passes
Contact the Authority as soon as you are able, to arrange for a new pass to be issued (tel: 0345 0451367)