Free bus passes for disabled residents

Disabled person's bus passes are only available to those who either have a permanent disability or a disability that is expected to last at least 12 months.

You can get a disabled person's bus pass if you live in the Wokingham Borough, are of fare-paying age and meet one of the following criteria:

Automatic eligibility

• Receive Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance
• Score minimum  8 points for moving around or communicating verbally component of Personal Independence Payment
• Receive War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement
• Hold a valid Blue Badge issued by Wokingham Borough Council
  
  

Discretionary eligibility

You can only apply under discretionary categories if you do not meet the criteria for automatic eligibility. Read the documents, below, for detailed guidance:

• Blind or partially sighted guidance (PDF document)
• Profoundly or severely deaf guidance (PDF document)
• Without speech guidance (PDF document)
• Without arms or loss of use of arms guidance (PDF document)
• Unable to walk guidance (PDF document)
• Unable to drive for medical reasons guidance (PDF document)
• Learning disability guidance (PDF document)

Please ensure you have the following documents ready before you apply:

• Proof of ID - please provide one of the following:
          
  

• Birth / adoption certificate (along with deed poll / marriage certificate if name has changed)
• Current passport - the identification page. If your passport is not an EU passport, a copy of the visa page is also required
• Current driving licence – the counterpart of a driving licence is no longer a valid proof of identity
• Printed prescription showing your date of birth

• Proof of address - please provide one of the following:
  
  

• Council Tax / utility bill
• Bank statement
• Driving licence
  
  

• Recent colour photograph (passport size)
  
• Proof of disability
  
  

If you fall under the automatic eligibility category we will need to see a copy of a current award letter.

For the discretionary eligibility categories, read the relevant guidance under 'eligibility' (above) for details of what proof we require. The form can also be used to obtain a confirmation from an independent medical professional.

You can apply for your bus pass online.

Alternatively print and complete the bus pass application form (PDF document) and send it to us, along with your documents, by email or post:

• By email – to concessionarytravel@wokingham.gov.uk
• By post – to Concessionary Travel, Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 1BN 
  
  

We accept copies of documents. If you send in original documents they will be returned to you by standard post unless a pre-paid return envelope is provided.

If you meet the criteria for a disabled bus pass and cannot travel alone you can apply for a companion bus pass. It allows one carer to accompany you on your journey.

• Read the companion bus pass guidance (PDF document)
  
  

Companion bus passes are issued at our discretion and are limited to journeys starting in the Wokingham Borough. If you travel outside of Wokingham Borough your companion may have to pay for their own travel.

Add a companion to an existing bus pass

If you already hold a disabled bus pass and would like to add a companion to it, email concessionarytravel@wokingham.gov.uk with the required proof.

Apply for a new disabled bus pass

For new applications, ensure you tick the 'companion' box in Part 2 of the bus pass application form (PDF document) and provide proof as detailed in the guidance.

There is a charge of £6.00 for a replacement bus pass, unless your pass was stolen and you can supply a crime reference number.

To apply for a replacement bus pass call us on 0118 974 6000 and have your payment card / crime reference number ready.

We are starting our bus pass renewal programme, to replace our bus passes that expire on 30th September, 2022

Wokingham Borough Council will renew your bus pass automatically before 30/09/2022 - no action is required from you to renew your pass. We will begin issuing new bus passes during August 2022.

If you haven’t received your new bus pass by 12^th September, please email concessionarytravel@wokingham.gov.uk and let us know. 

We currently renew our bus passes every 5 years – we previously renewed our bus passes in 2017. 

If your address has changed since you received your current bus pass, please email concessionarytravel@wokingham.gov.uk with details. We will need the name of all bus pass holders affected, along with your old address, and new address. 

Please let the concessionary travel team know, even if you have told another department within the council.

All efforts will be made to forward new passes to the correct address, if they are returned to the council, but please help us by informing us now of your new details.