Find out if you are eligible for a free bus pass.
Complete a Concessionary Fares application form (PDF document) which you can download or collect in person from:
- Reception at the Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham - Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm
- Earley Town Council Offices, Radstock Lane, Earley - Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm
You will also need to provide us with a recent clear colour passport sized photograph and show documentary proof of your name, date of birth, address and any disability where appropriate.
How to renew your free bus pass
If you already have a bus pass and you need to renew this because it will expire shortly, please complete a Concessionary Fares application form (PDF document) which you can download or collect in person from:
- Reception at the Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham - Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm
- Earley Town Council Offices, Radstock Lane, Earley - Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm
You do not need to enclose a photograph to renew an existing bus pass unless your appearance has substantially changed.
Where and when can I use my bus pass?
With this bus pass you can travel free:
- On local bus services throughout England from 9.30am to 10.59pm Mondays to Fridays, and all day Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays
- You can also use it on local bus services within Wokingham Borough area between the hours of 9am to 10.59pm Mondays to Fridays, and all day Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays
- On Park and Ride services such as those operating at Loddon Bridge and Madejski Stadium
- On Dial-a-Ride services such as those operated by Readibus and Keep Mobile. (These services have their own rules on who can travel on them. To find out if you can use them, visit the Readibus website or Keep Mobile website by clicking on their name)
- On Voluntary Community transport schemes operating within the Wokingham Borough Council area. This covers medical journeys only for doctors' or hospital visits. (These services have their own rules on who can travel on them. To find out if you can use them, please contact your local Voluntary Transport Scheme for more details.)
So, if you travel away from Wokingham, for example to visit family or friends or for a holiday in England, you can take your bus pass with you and use it to get free bus travel in the area you are visiting.
What evidence do you need if I apply for a bus pass?
You will need to show us proof of your age and current address. If appropriate, you will also need to show us proof of your disability.
Suitable proof of age:
- Passport
- Driving licence
- Birth or Marriage Certificate - showing your current name
Suitable proof of address:
- Driving Licence
- Recent council tax or utility bill
- Recent bank statement - but not a statement printed from a cash machine as these don't show your address.
What do you mean by ‘disabled’ and what proof will I need to show?
Disabled eligibility will be granted automatically where the applicant:
- Is in receipt of the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance or the Higher Rate of Attendance Allowance from the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions)
- Is in receipt of a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and scores at least 8 points under either of the assessment classifications “Moving Around” or “Communicating Verbally.”
- Is sight-impaired, either blind or partially sighted and can prove they are registered with the local authority community care department or can provide a Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI) signed by a Consultant Ophthalmologist or a letter from the Berkshire Sensory Needs Service confirming disability registration as blind or partially sighted.
- Is profoundly or severely deaf and can prove they are registered with the local authority community care department, or able to supply a current report from an aural specialist.
- In receipt of the War Pensions Mobility Supplement and provide a current award notice from the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency.
Where the applicant does not meet the above criteria, eligibility may also be granted if the applicant:
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Is without speech in any language and provides a letter from the Berkshire Sensory Needs Service confirming disability registration or a letter on headed paper from a qualified medical professional that the applicant is without speech in any language.
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Does not have arms or has long-term loss of the use of both arms and provides a letter on headed paper from a qualified medical professional confirming the loss of use of both arms.
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Has a learning disability, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning. Disability must have started before adulthood and the applicant is registered, received or receiving specialist education at a Special Educational Needs School. Please provide a letter on headed paper from your social care provider (e.g. WBC social care, Optalis, CAN etc.) or from a qualified medical professional confirming a learning disability before adulthood.
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Is unable to drive for medical reasons, but not on the grounds of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol. Provide a letter from the DVLA confirming notice of withdrawal of licence (not including voluntary withdrawal) or a letter on headed paper from a qualified medical professional confirming that a medical condition prevents driving or the issue of a licence.
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Has a disability, or has suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to walk. Provide a letter on headed paper from a qualified medical professional confirming that the applicant cannot walk for distances up to 100 metres without stopping, suffering severe discomfort or without help from another person.
If you apply for a bus pass as a disabled person you will need to show us current documentary proof that you meet at least one of the definitions above (full details are on the application form).
What if I can’t travel alone – can someone travel with me?
If you have a bus pass but are unable to travel without someone helping you, you can also apply for a Companion Pass. When travelling with you, the Companion Pass will allow that person to travel free on local bus journeys within the Wokingham Borough area between the hours of 9am and 10.59pm Mondays to Fridays, and all day Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Companion Passes do not generally allow free travel outside of these areas – any free travel would be at the discretion of the bus driver. Where free travel is not allowed for your companion, they will have to pay the normal fare for the journey, but you can still travel free using your own bus pass.
If you wish to apply for a Companion Pass you will need to complete a Companion Pass Application form (PDF document) and show us proof that:
How long can I use my pass for?
The bus passes issued by us are valid until 31 December 2017. There is no need to keep renewing your card each year. We will contact you nearer this date and let you know the arrangements for renewing your Bus Pass.
Typical Documents required as proof:
Proof of age
- Passport
- Driving Licence
- Birth or Marriage Certificate – showing your current name
Proof of address:
- Driving Licence
- Recent council tax or utility bill
- Recent bank statement - but not a statement printed from a cash machine as these don’t show your address
Proof of disability:
- Latest award letter from Department for Work and Pensions or other Government Office
- Letter from your GP
- Letter from your Registered Social Worker
How long will I have to wait for my bus pass?
Generally you will receive your bus pass within 10 working days of submitting your application with all required proof and a recent colour passport-sized photograph.
More details
To find out more visit the following Gov.uk website pages:
