Is the cost of living crisis affecting you?
Make sure you’re getting the help you're entitled to.
Visit our siteYoung Persons’ Free Bus Travel
Young People aged 5 - 21 living in Scotland can now apply to access free bus travel across Scotland. This is delivered via a National Entitlement Card (NEC) and will help support young people to make beneficial travel choices around easier access to work, education, social and leisure opportunities.
Parents or guardians must provide approval for children aged between 5-15 to access the scheme by applying on their behalf. Young people aged 16-21 should apply themselves.
FAQs
Any child or young person who is resident in Scotland, and aged 5-21, can apply for the scheme.
Back To TopChildren under 5 years don’t need a card as they already travel for free on commercial bus services across Scotland.
You can apply for a child aged 5 to 10 years through either www.parentsportal.scot if your child’s school uses it or alternatively at www.getyournec.scot.
For your information, 2 step-by-step instruction videos are below:
How to apply for a first time card for your child via the Parents Portal
How to apply for a first time NEC card through www.getyournec.scot
However, if you are unable to apply online or are having difficulties then you can download and print out a paper copy.
If you are unable to print a copy, you can email YPfreebustravel@fife.gov.uk or phone our Contact Centre on 03451 55 00 66 to have an application posted out to you.
Back To TopYou can apply for a young person between 11 and 15 years, either for a first time card or if they currently hold an NEC, through www.getyournec.scot
*Please note that photographic ID is required (Passport/Driving Licence/Young Scot or PASS accredited card/Yoti account).
For your information, 2 step-by-step instruction videos are below:
How to apply for a first time NEC card through www.getyournec.scot
How to receive free travel if the young person under 16 already holds a National Entitlement Card
If you are a first-time applicant, unable to apply online you can download and print out an Apply for the Young Person Under 22 Travel Scheme – Age 11 – 21 Paper form.
If the young person already has a card and wants the free travel added but you cannot apply online, you can download and print out an Existing NEC Cardholders aged 11 - 21 Paper form.
If you are unable to print a copy you can email YPfreebustravel@fife.gov.uk or phone our Contact Centre on 03451 550066 to have an application posted out to you.
Back To TopIf you are aged between 16 and 21 with an active NEC or Young Scot Card you can download free bus travel onto your existing card using the Transport Scotland's Pass Collect app. This means you may not need to apply for a new card to access your free bus travel. If you are unable to use the app, or if you are applying for a card for the first time you should apply through www.getyournec.scot *Please note that photographic ID is required (Passport/Driving Licence/Young Scot or PASS accredited card/Yoti account).
For your information, 2 step-by-step instruction videos are below:
How to use the Transport Scotland Pass Collect App
How to apply for Young Persons Free Bus Travel if you’re 16 years of age or over
If you are a first-time applicant, unable to apply online you can download and print out an Apply for the Young Person Under 22 Travel Scheme – Age 11 – 21 Paper form.
If you already have a card and want the free travel added but cannot apply online, you can download and print out an Existing NEC Cardholders aged 11 - 21 Paper form
If you are unable to print a copy you can email YPfreebustravel@fife.gov.uk or phone our Contact Centre on 03451 550066 to have an application posted out to you.
Back To TopIf you applied through Parents Portal and have an enquiry regarding your application, please contact them directly via their www.parentsportal.scot ‘HELP’ option.
If you applied through www.getyournec.scot for the card and have an enquiry regarding your application please contact the Improvement Service directly via their www.getyournec.scot ‘HELP’ option.
If you have applied via a paper application and have a query, please email YPfreebustravel@fife.gov.uk or phone our Contact Centre on 03451 550066.
Back To TopIf you applied through Parents Portal and have an enquiry regarding your application, please contact them directly via their www.parentsportal.scot ‘HELP’ option.
If you applied through www.getyournec.scot for the card and have an enquiry regarding your application please contact the Improvement Service directly via their www.getyournec.scot ‘HELP’ option.
If you have applied via a paper application and have a query, please email YPfreebustravel@fife.gov.uk or phone our Contact Centre on 03451 550066.
Back To TopIf you make an application for the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme your concessionary travel entitlement will be cancelled. This will mean that if you hold a C+1 or a visual impaired persons’ card you will lose the benefits of this card. We recommend you do not change to the new scheme as this will not allow a companion to travel with you free of charge.
Back To TopIf you have a colour-coded, Council-issued bus pass, you must continue to use this on school buses – don’t use your new NEC card. Your colour-coded school bus pass gives you priority over other pupils who don't have council-issued bus passes but who may wish to travel on the same bus. You can find further information on our School Transport page.
Back To TopIf you are attending St Andrews University and are currently resident in Fife, you can take advantage of the Under 22 Free Bus Travel Scheme. You must apply via paper application ONLY; this is because the online method of applying will reject your application if a different address is showing on your proof of ID.
If you are a first-time applicant you can download and print out an Apply for the Young Person Under 22 Travel Scheme
If you already have a card and want the free travel added, you can download and print out an Existing NEC Cardholders aged 11 - 21 Paper form.
If you are unable to print a copy you can email YPfreebustravel@fife.gov.uk or phone our Contact Centre on 03451 550066 to have an application posted out to you.
Once your form is completed, please email your completed form, photographic ID, proof of address and a passport-style photograph to YPfreebustravel@fife.gov.uk
If you do not have photographic ID you need to make an appointment at your nearest Customer Service Centre where your documentation will be checked and verified.
If you receive a new (NEC) card and wish to use this card for cashless catering and/or library facilities your card should already be activated. If it doesn’t work, then contact the school office who will activate it for you.
If you have previously held an (NEC) card and received a replacement card you should go to the school office to have the card number updated on the cashless catering/library system.
Back To TopYou should allow up to 10 working days from the date your application was approved for your card to arrive.
Back To TopIf your MyFife card has been lost, stolen or if it is faulty, you can order a replacement by completing the Request a replacement card/Make changes to your MyFife card online form.
If you're filling out the form on behalf of someone, use the Request a Replacement Card/ Make changes to someone else's MyFife Card
If you have difficulty completing the online form, you should phone 03451 55 00 66 to request a replacement.
Back To TopThe freebus.scot website provides all the information needed to apply.
If you have any queries on the actual scheme itself, you can email Transport Scotland at: concessionarytravel@transport.gov.scot
