8.1) How can I find out about buses that need to be booked in advance?
8.2) Can I plan a bus journey?
8.3) How accurate are bus times?
8.4) What is the English Concessionary Travel Scheme?
8.5) Which bus services on Transport Direct are included in the English Concessionary Travel Scheme?
8.6) What is the Scottish Concessionary Travel Scheme?
8.7) What is the Welsh Concessionary Travel Scheme?
8. Bus
8.1) How can I find out about buses that need to be booked in advance?
Some bus journeys require advance booking. These are usually more flexible than normal bus services, for example they may pick up or set down at a place you choose.
If a bus that needs to be booked in advance is listed in your journey plan transport options, the telephone number for booking the bus will be shown on the ‘Details’ page (or in the ‘Instructions’ column in the table version of the page).
8.2) Can I plan a bus journey?
- From the homepage click on ‘Find a bus’ on the left hand navigation or
- Click on the ‘Plan a journey’ tab then click ‘Find a bus’ or
- Select ‘Door-to-door’ then advanced options and deselect all modes of transport other than bus
8.3) How accurate are bus times?
The Journey Planner aims to give you times for every bus stop on every route. Currently, we can find you times for most bus stops on most routes and our coverage is continually improving. Please note that when we do give you a time at a bus stop it may be an estimate based on the times given for the major stops along the route or estimated from the frequency of the bus service. Therefore it is important that you allow some flexibility in your schedule when travelling by bus.
8.4) What is the English Concessionary Travel Scheme?
Since 1 April 2008 people living in England who are of eligible age, or eligible disabled people,
have been able to use their England-wide passes, which entitle them to free off-peak local bus
travel anywhere in England. Those born before 6 April 1950 are eligible from their
60th birthday. The age of eligibility for those turning 60 after 6 April 2010 is:
- For women - pensionable age
- For men - pensionable age of a woman born on the same day
The statutory minimum time period to which this applies is Monday to Friday,
from 9.30am to 11pm and any time at weekends and bank holidays. Local authorities
may offer extra benefits to their residents as part of their concessionary
scheme – for example, free or reduced off-peak tram or rail travel, or free bus travel
before 9.30am Monday to Friday; details should be checked with the local authority.
Further information can be found at:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/PublicTransport/BusAndCoachTravel/DG_071640 
8.5) Which bus services on Transport Direct are included in the English Concessionary Travel Scheme?
The scheme applies to off-peak journeys on almost all services in England described on this site as "bus". We hope to indicate where this is not the case as more information about exclusions becomes available. For journeys shown as "coach", passengers are advised to check details costs and associated issues in advance with the operator. For example if the service requires pre-booking, a booking fee may still be charged. Most long-distance coach services are not included in the scheme, although coach operators such as National Express already have special fares for the over-60's so please check with the operator.
8.6) What is the Scottish Concessionary Travel Scheme?
Scotland-Wide Free Bus Travel started on 1st April 2006 and allows anyone aged over 60 and eligible disabled people, to travel free on both local registered services and long distance bus services within Scotland. There are no peak-time restrictions.
To take advantage of this free bus travel you need to have a National Entitlement Card. Only a small number of services will not recognise the card, for example premium fare buses and City Sightseeing buses.
Further information can be found at: http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/concessionarytravel
8.7) What is the Welsh Concessionary Travel Scheme?
The Welsh Assembly Government provides financial support to enable local authorities in Wales to provide free travel on registered local bus services for residents of Wales aged over 60 years and disabled of any age. It also provides free travel on local buses by companions to disabled persons.
The scheme operates across Wales and concessionary pass holders can travel free at any time of day.
Further information can be found at:
http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/transport/integrated/concessionary/fares/?lang=en