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Powered by Transport for Greater Manchester

If you qualify for a state pension, you could be eligible for free travel across the country as part of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme.


Do you qualify?

To get a travel pass for older people you must:

  • live in Greater Manchester, (if you live outside Greater Manchester, apply for a pass in your own area but you cannot add tram and train travel within Greater Manchester to passes issued by other areas); and
  • qualify for a state pension. It doesn't matter if you are taking your pension or still working.

The age you qualify for a state pension isn't the same for everyone. You may need to be up to 66 to qualify depending on when you were born. If you're not sure, check your state pension age.


Costs and benefits

The pass is free, and lasts for five years.


Within Greater Manchester:

  • Travel for free on all buses within Greater Manchester between 9.30am and midnight, Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on public holidays.
  • You can also choose to pay £10 to add tram and train to your pass, for a year’s unlimited off-peak travel on Metrolink and trains within Greater Manchester. You can then travel on Metrolink trams and in trains after 9.30am on Monday to Friday, and all day on weekends and public holidays.
  • If you travel outside of these times you must pay the full adult fare.

Throughout England:

  • Travel for free on all local buses between 9.30am and 11pm Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on public holidays.
  • If you travel outside of these times you must pay the full adult fare.

How to use the pass

You must always remember to:

  • touch in at the card reader when boarding buses
  • touch in and touch out at a yellow smart reader on tram stops, for Metrolink
  • touch in and out at train station ticket barriers, where they are in place

Please show your card, when asked, to any Transport for Greater Manchester or transport operator official during your journey.

Smart readers on tram stops now accept contactless cards and devices for travel. Please move your concessionary pass away from your payment cards when you use a smart reader.

For example, if you keep your pass in a wallet or purse, remove it before you touch-in and touch-out. This will make sure you’re not charged on a contactless card you didn’t intend to use.


Apply by post

Download an application form or get one from an Information and Ticket Office.

If you are eligible complete the relevant form and attach:

  • A passport sized colour photograph of yourself
  • Proof of age – a copy of either your birth certificate, medical card, passport or driving licence
  • Proof of your address – a copy of either a utility bill, local council tax bill or a Department for Work and Pensions letter from within the last 12 months

You can take your form and proof to an Information and Ticket office (Travelshop) who can check it.

You can also post your documents to the address on the application form.

Your pass will be sent to you in the post within 10 working days.

Please do not send original documents.


Renew your pass

At least two weeks before your travel pass expires, we will send you a new pass, provided it has been in use.

If you use your card often then we will send you a new one two weeks before your travel pass runs out.

If you have not used your pass in the last 12 months, you will not be issued a new card and will need to contact us to request a new card after it’s expired.
If you need a pass, please call our Concessionary Travel team on 0161 244 1000.

Please note: when using your pass, you must touch-in on buses and use the validators to touch-in and out on Metrolink or when using the trains.

If you don’t then your card will show as inactive.

Updating your address

You need to let us know if you change your address. There may be a £10 charge if a card is sent to an old address.

If you feel your appearance has changed since your last renewal, please send us a new photo. This can be done via post or can also be emailed to us.

If you no longer need your pass or have any other questions please call our Concessionary Travel team on 0161 244 1000.


If you need a replacement pass

It costs £10 to replace a lost, damaged or stolen pass.

To order a replacement pass you can: