National Entitlement Card Scheme
If you are over 60 or meet the disability criteria provided below you are entitled to free bus travel anywhere in Scotland with a valid National Entitlement Card (bus pass).
More information can be found here.
If you are aged between 5 and 21 then from 31st January 2022 you are entitled to free bus travel anywhere in Scotland under the Free Bus Travel for Under 22s Scheme.
More information can be found here.
If you are a full time volunteer aged 22-25 you are entitled to 1/3 off adult bus travel anywhere in Scotland with a Young Scot Card (Young Scot cards also provide access to discounted rail travel in Scotland).
As of 1st of October 2023 the ferry vouchers are no longer available in paper format, they are digitally downloaded via the Transport Scot Pass Collect app using a smart phone. Islanders will be advised of the change via a letter in early February 2024 with instructions how to collect vouchers as from 1st March 2024. The smart phone does not need to be your own, it can be anyone’s phone and information will not be stored on any phone used. Any issues downloading the vouchers please contact us on 01595 744868 or bring your NEC Card into the Transport Planning Office at 8 North Ness, Lerwick ZE1 0LZ and we can show you how to download them.
Shetland Over 60’s and Disabled residents with a valid National Entitlement Card, receive concessionary Northlink Ferry Vouchers valid for travel April to March each year. The ferry vouchers entitle you to walk on passage and a bunk in a cabin (not exclusive use of the cabin).
Young Scot Card holders who are aged between 16 and 18 you are entitled to concessionary travel vouchers for Northlink ferries, this entitlement ends midnight on your 19th birthday so vouchers need to be used for travel prior to turning age 19.
Disabled card holders must ensure their NEC card is valid at the time of travel to make use of vouchers.
Apply online or contact Transport Planning on 01595 744 868 to apply, renew or report lost cards/ferry vouchers.
Existing cardholders can use the online service to:
- Request a photo update
- Request a replacement card
- Apply to renew an expired/expiring card
Disabled applicant criteria
There are two types of disabled bus pass available, Disabled and Disabled + Companion.
The eligibility criteria for the Disabled pass is as follows:
- Higher rate of mobility component of Disability Living Allowance
- Higher or middle rate care component of Disability Living Allowance
- Standard or Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
- Enhanced rate of Mobility component of Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
- Standard or Enhanced Rate Daily Living Component of Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
- Attendance Allowance award letter
- Award letter from Veteran Agency confirming receipt of mobility supplement
- DVLA V11 showing “disabled taxation class” or DLA 404
- Disabled Blue Badge
- Blind Registration Certificate – letter from local authority, RNIB or other blind society
- War Pensions Constant Attendance Allowance
- Authorised Transport Scotland NCT003 – Epilepsy certificate available from your local authority
- DVLA letters D206, D235, D220, NS57 stating failure of eyesight standard to drive or revoking of driving licence on medical grounds of physical fitness
- Audiologist written report, letter from Society for the Deaf, letter from Hospital Consultant
- Authorised Transport Scotland NCT002 – Mental Health Certificate available from your local authority
- Hospice admittance letter
- DS1500 report
- Written confirmation from prosthetics clinic/centre, physiotherapist, rehabilitation centre
- Letter from Hospital Consultant if applying on the grounds of suffering from a progressive degenerative disorder
The eligibility criteria for the Disabled + Companion pass is as follows:
- Higher or middle rate care component of Disability Living Allowance
- Standard or Enhanced Rate Daily Living Component of Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
- Standard or Enhanced Rate Daily Living Component of Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
- Attendance Allowance award letter
- War Pensions Constant Attendance Allowance
- Blind Registration Certificate – letter from local authority, RNIB or other blind society
- Letter from Care/Residential Home
You can find further information about Scottish travel fares and discounts at Citizens Advice Scotland
For more information please visit the Transport Scotland website.