Concessionary Travel
For Senior Residents
Wokingham Borough Council offers concessionary fare schemes for all residents of pensionable age. When you can apply to have a national Bus Pass, giving free travel on local buses in based on when you were born.
Find out if you are eligible for a free bus pass by using the State Pension age calculator on the UK Government website. The age the calculator gives you is the age we use for eligibility.
The bus pass allows free travel on local bus services throughout England from 0930 to 2300 on Mondays to Fridays and at any time on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.
In addition, if you are boarding a bus within Wokingham Borough you can travel free from 0900 on Monday to Friday. Concessionary passes are also valid on the Winnersh Triangle Park & Ride and Mereoak Park & Ride services. However please note that a parking fee will be applicable for those concessionaires who hold an age-related concessionary pass.
For Disabled Residents
Find out if you are eligible for a free disabled person's bus pass by visiting the Council's website here.
Extending free travel times for disabled bus pass holders
Disabled residents who have a disabled bus pass can travel on local bus services for free at any time following a decision by Wokingham Borough Council’s Executive to remove all time restrictions from the disabled bus pass and disabled plus companion bus pass.
The change, which came into effect from Sunday 1 December, means that the English National Concessionary Travel scheme (ENCTS) disabled bus pass and disabled plus companion passes can be used at any time of the morning or night when boarding a bus in the borough.
Applying for a free bus pass
For information on how to apply, please contact ConcessionaryTravel@wokingham.gov.uk or call 0118 974600. You can also visit the Council's website here and click on either "free bus passes for senior residents" or "free bus passes for disabled residents".
Companion bus pass
If you meet the criteria for a disabled bus pass and cannot travel alone you can apply for a companion bus pass. It allows one carer to accompany you on your journey.
Companion bus passes are issued at our discretion and are limited to journeys starting in the Wokingham Borough. If you travel outside of Wokingham Borough your companion may have to pay for their own travel.
Add a companion to an existing bus pass
If you already hold a disabled bus pass and would like to add a companion to it, email concessionarytravel@wokingham.gov.uk with the required proof.
Concessionary Fares for Young People
Child Fares
Children aged between 5 and 15 years old generally travel at a child fare. Up to two accompanied children under 5 years old are generally carried free of charge. A reasonable amount of luggage and small folding pushchairs may be carried if there is space. Reading Buses offer a Boost ticket which is available for those people 5-18 years.
Student Fares
The Boost ticket is also available to those up to 21 years who show a valid college or University ID card for Reading University, Reading College, Reading UTC College, Wokingham and Bracknell College or Newbury College. You may purchase a Boost ticket on the bus or apply for a Smart card online which you then top up. For further information please contact the bus operator for details.
Home to School Transport
Wokingham Borough Council provides transport to and from school for students who meet the criteria for assistance. Advice and information concerning eligibility for free travel can be obtained from: Travel Assistance to School and College or by telephoning the Council on 0118 974 6000.