Persons Requiring a Companion to Assist with Their Travelling Needs

 

Persons Requiring a Companion to Assist with Their Travelling Needs

Persons from the age of 5 years, whose mobility is such that they require to be accompanied when travelling, can apply for a Companion Concessionary Card.

The Companion Concessionary card allows both the eligible person and one companion to travel free of charge together for the same journey by bus. The companion can vary from journey to journey providing they board and alight the bus at the same locations as the card holder.

There is no need for a companion cardholder to be accompanied on all journeys they make.  They have the choice of whether to travel on their own or whether to have a companion with them.

If you are applying for a Companion Concessionary Card you must produce evidence of eligibility with your application. Please refer to the list of suitable documentation required to be verified for a companion card.  

Completing the Application Form

The applicant must complete the Application for Scotland-Wide Free Bus Travel for Disabled People (NCT001) and provide proof of age and address, together with the necessary documentation to prove your eligibility.

You should attach a passport-type photograph, which should be in colour, and have your name and form number (top right-hand corner of Page 3 under the bar code) written on the reverse in Block Letters.

The photograph which you attach to the form should be recent (taken within the last 12 months), be of you on your own showing a close-up of your head and shoulders so that your face covers approximately 65 to 75% of the photograph and your features should be clearly distinguishable against the background.  The photograph should be in sharp focus and printed on plain white photo quality paper.

Transport Scotland has advised Perth & Kinross Council that applicants cannot post their application forms directly back to the Council.

The application form should be handed in to a member of staff at one of the Council Offices or Local Agencies authorised to verify applications from people who are disabled.  The member of staff will check that Parts 1, 2 and 3 of the form have been completed and that the photograph is a true likeness of you.  They will also take copies (as required) of the supporting documentation.

The form, photograph and copies of the supporting documentation will then be sent by the member of staff to the Council’s Public Transport Unit who will check your eligibility to receive an Entitlement Card.

The Public Transport Unit will then forward your application form to the organisation that is responsible for issuing the Entitlement Cards.  It may take up to ten working days for your application form to be processed and for you to be sent your Entitlement Card to your home address.

If you have any queries about how to apply for an Entitlement Card, please contact Perth & Kinross Council's Public Transport Unit. Alternatively further information is available from Transport Scotland.