Apply for an older person's bus pass

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off peak travel on scheduled bus services for older people.

You can get a bus pass when you reach State Pension Age.

You can use your ‘NoWcard’ during off-peak hours anywhere in England, off peak hours are 9.30am to 11pm Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and on bank holidays.

If you already have a bus pass, find out how to renew it.

Apply online

You can apply online using our NoWcard service. You'll need:

• digital proof of age - this can be a scanned image of your passport, driving license or birth certificate
• digital proof of address - this can be a scanned image of your Council Tax bill, utility bill or bank statement less than three months old or Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) letter
• a digital passport type photograph

Apply for older person's bus pass

Apply at a library

Our library staff can help you apply at:

• Carlisle Library
• Whitehaven Library
• Workington Library

You'll need to take proof of your identity.

Our library staff will take the identity photo for you.

Apply by post

You'll need to complete and return an application form along with proof of identity.

Download complete and our application form.

Send it to:

Cumberland Council
NoWcard
Parkhouse Building
Baron Way
Kingmoor Business Park
Carlisle
CA6 4SJ

Proof of identity

If you applying at a library or a by post you will need to bring in proof of identity.

For proof of age, this can be:

• birth certificate
• proof of state pension
• passport
• driving licence

For proof of address, this can be:

• Council Tax bill
• utility bill dated within the last three months
• rent book or statement
• bank statement dated within the last three months
• DWP Letter

ID Photo

Your application will be delayed if your photo does not meet the passport type photo guidelines.

If you’re using a photo taken on your own device, include your head and shoulders. Do not crop your photo - it will be done for you.

If you are applying at a library our staff will take your photo. There are busy periods at libraries so you might have a short wait.