Concessionary Travel on the Isle of Wight

Man and lady sitting together on a bus Smiling and enjoying the view out the bus windows

Photo Credit: by Peter Kindersley via Centre for Ageing Better

Free Bus Passes for Older and Disabled Residents

If you live on the Isle of Wight and meet certain criteria, you may be eligible for a free bus pass or discounted bus travel under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS). This pass allows you to travel for free or with a discount on local buses during off-peak hours.

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme also enables eligible residents of the Isle of Wight to travel on buses anywhere in England at certain times.

How to apply for a bus pass/concession 

You must apply in person at a designated location. To save time, you can download and complete the application form before you visit us.

What You’ll Need

Bring the following evidence with you:

  • a recent full colour passport photograph of yourself on a light background.
  • proof of your address in your own name not older than three months, e.g. a utility bill, bank statement or any other official letter.
  • if you are applying for a senior person pass, please provide proof of age.
  • if you are applying for a disability pass, please provide proof of disability not older than 12 months.

Where to Apply

Take your completed form and documents to:

  • County Hall, Newport, 
  • your local library

Staff will check your documents and process your application.

Download the Application Form

Download the application form (PDF, 106KB, 2 pages).

Be sure to read the guidance notes included in the form before completing it.

Guidance notes for new applications on the basis of age

Who Can Apply?

You can apply if you are:

  • the age of eligibility for concessionary travel for women will be pensionable age
  • for men it will be the pensionable age of a woman born on the same day

You can check your state pension age using the GOV.UK online calculation tool: GOV.UK - State Pension Age Calculator

Guidance notes for new applications on the basis of disability

When applying please ensure that you provide specific evidence of your disability, as specified below, for the category under which you believe you qualify. Please note that the evidence must confirm that the disability is likely to last a minimum of 12 months from the date of application.

The seven statutory categories of disabled person include anyone who:

Category A ‘is blind or partially sighted’

  1. please contact the Sensory Service, Wight Sense who will assist you with your application, or,
  2. supply a signed letter on headed paper from a medical professional confirming the statement above

Category B ‘is profoundly or severely deaf’

  1. you have a signed letter on headed paper from a medical professional confirming the statement above

Category C ‘is without speech’

  1. you have been awarded personal independence payment (PIP), with eight points or more against the ‘communicating verbally’ activity, or,
  2. you have a signed letter on headed paper from a medical professional confirming the statement above

Category D ‘has a disability, or has suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his ability to walk’

  1. you are in receipt of the higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance, or,
  2. you have been awarded personal independence payment (PIP), with eight points or more against the ‘moving around’ activity, or,
  3. you are in receipt of war pensioners mobility supplement, or,
  4. you are in receipt of a disabled person’s parking permit (blue badge) if issued prior to 30 August 2019, or,
  5. you have a signed letter on headed paper from a medical professional confirming the statement above

Category E ‘does not have arms or has long-term loss of the use of both arms’

  1. you have a signed letter on headed paper from a medical professional confirming the statement above.

Category F ‘has a learning disability, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning’

  1. you have a signed letter on headed paper from a medical professional confirming the statement above, or,
  2. you have a signed letter on headed paper from a Childrens or Adults Social Care worker confirming the statement above

Category G ‘would, if he/she applied for the grant of a licence to drive a motor vehicle under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, have his/her application refused pursuant to section 92 of the Act (physical fitness) otherwise than on the ground of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol’

  1. a signed letter on headed paper from a medical professional confirming the statement above, or,
  2. a copy of your licence revocation from the DVLA, including the letter detailing the medical reason, should accompany your application

Bus pass renewal

You can use this application to renew your bus pass.

Bus pass replacement

You can use this application to replace your bus pass.

The ‘New Islander Card’ Local Concessionary Travel Scheme

In addition to the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme, the Isle of Wight Council offers the New Islander Card to:

  • residents with a severe and enduring mental health condition
  • residents who cannot use public bus services without a travelling companion

The Travelling Companion concession is solely available to island residents who have been issued an English National Concessionary Travel Scheme Concession Scheme bus pass on the grounds of disability, or a New Islander Card issued on the grounds of having a mental health problem.

How to apply for a New Islander Card local concession to residents

You must apply in person. To begin:

Step 1: Request an Application Form

You can get the form by:

Tip: Read the guidance notes contained within the form before completing the form.

Step 2: Submit Your Application

Take your completed form, photo, and supporting documents to:

  • County Hall, Newport, 
  • your local library

Staff will check your documents and process your application.

What You’ll Need

Bring the following evidence with you:

  • a recent a full colour passport photograph of yourself on a light background.
  • proof of your address in your own name not older than three months. For example: a utility bill, bank statement or any other official letter.
  • additional evidence based on the category of card you're applying for. This evidence must be issued/ dated within the last 12 months. Please note that the evidence must confirm that your disability is likely to last a minimum of 12 months from the date of your application.

Categories of New Islander Card

Gold - has a ‘severe and enduring’ mental health problem

  • A signed letter on headed paper from an Isle of Wight Mental Health Service confirming the statement above

Silver – cannot access public transport without the assistance of a travelling companion

  •  A signed letter on headed paper from a medical professional confirming the statement above

Free Travel on the Isle of Wight at the following times:

When Can You Use Your Pass?

Island residents who hold an age-related English National Concessionary Bus Pass and non-Island residents who hold an English National Concessionary Bus Pass, free travel is available on eligible public bus services between:

  • Monday to Friday: 9:30am – 11:00pm
  • Weekends and Bank Holidays: All day

For Island residents who hold an English National Concessionary Bus pass issued on the grounds of disability or a New Islander Card you can travel free:

  • Any time on any day of the week on eligible local public bus services and Islandline Services

Concessionary Fares Scheme Statutory Notices

Concessionary Fares Scheme 2024/25 - Statutory Notice (PDF, 81KB)

Concessionary Fares Scheme 2025/26 - Statutory Notice (PDF, 92KB)

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