Concessionary Travelpermits: a guide for holders

Lothian Regional Council Concessionary Travelpermits will no longer be valid from 1 April 2005.

Lothian Regional Council ceased to exist in 1996 but there are still a significant number of their Concessionary Travel Permits in circulation.

In the years since these passes were issued, the condition of the old passes and age of the photographs has caused problems with recognition, and therefore, validity.

Edinburgh residents who still hold this type of Travelpermit should replace it with a City of Edinburgh Council Concessionary Travelpermit.

Residents affected by this change should take along their existing pass, an up-to-date passport-sized photograph, proof of date of birth and proof of residence in Edinburgh to their local library where a new Travelpermit will be issued.

Adverts informing of this change will appear in the local press, on local bus services and in public libraries to try to ensure that all those affected receive sufficient notice of the proposals to allow them to obtain a replacement before the end of March 2005.

General Information

People aged 60 years or over can have reduced cost travel on any local bus service in Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian and on direct journeys from these areas to or from Linlithgow, Broxburn, Uphall and St. John's Hospital at Howden. The Concessionary Travelpermit also allows reduced cost travel on rail services.

If you are entitled to a companion travelling with you, they travel at the same reduced rate.

Travelpermits are not valid beyond the Lothians, nor do they allow travel between midnight and 4.15 hours (4.15 am).

They are not valid on tours, excursions, or private hire vehicles.

Bus Travel

From 30th September 2002, travel will be free after 9.30 am, Monday to Friday. There will be no afternoon, evening or weekend restrictions.

If you travel before 9.30 am you will be charged a flat fare of 40p per trip.

If a companion travels with you, the same applies.

Rail Travel

You can use your Travelpermit to make rail journeys between stations in Edinburgh (Waverley, Haymarket, Brunstane, Newcraighall, Dalmeny, Gyle, Edinburgh Park, Curriehill, Wester Hailes, Kingsknowe and Slateford).

You will be charged a flat fare of 50p per single journey. When there is no ticket office at the station or the ticket office is closed, simply board the train and show your Travelpermit to the Ticket Examiner who will take your 50p and issue you with a ticket.

If you experience any difficulty in using your Travelpermit please let us know by writing to us at:

Travel Concessions
FREEPOST EH242
Edinburgh
EH1 0AH

How to apply

The Concessionary Travelpermit is available to men and women aged 60 or over. Apply at any Edinburgh City Library (see list of libraries). You will need:

one passport-sized photograph
proof of date of birth
proof of residence in Edinburgh (e.g. Council Tax book)

You can save some time by downloading an application form from this page and completing it before you visit the library . Once you've filled it in, take it to your local library with the identification documents listed above. There are two forms available: if you are male aged 60-64 then click here otherwise if you are not in this group then click here.

To apply for a companion travelpermit you will need proof that you receive either Attendance Allowance, Severe Disablement Allowance, or the Middle/Higher Rate Care Componenet of Disability Living Allowance.

The Travelpermit will be issued for a three year period. Please complete a new form to renew it well in advance of the expiry date, otherwise you may not have your Travelpermit for a continuous period.

Lost or Damaged Travelpermits

Simply go along to your local library (see list of libraries) with a passport-sized photograph and proof of date of birth and address.

There is a small charge (currently £2) to pay for a replacement Travelpermit.