Bus pass
NEC for 5-21 year olds and Young Scot card
5-21 year olds (of any nationality) who live in Scotland can apply for free bus travel.
To travel free on the public bus network, you must have:
- a new National Entitlement Card (NEC)
- or a Young Scot NEC issued after 10 January 2022.
Children under 5 already travel on buses for free.
How to apply
- Parents or guardians of under 16s must apply on their behalf, and give approval for the card to be activated.
- Young people aged 16+ can apply themselves.
For more details on how to apply visit the Free Bus website.
You will need:
- MyGov Scot or Yoti account (parent’s account for children 5-15 years old. If you do not have one, you can easily register online),
- Photo ID and proof of address (valid driving licence- which confirms identity and address- or passport/ biometric identity card and a proof of address of parent for children 5-15 years old),
- One passport style photograph (head and shoulders on a white background- can be taken with your smartphone and uploaded on the website. Cardholder under the age of 11 are not required to submit a photograph as part of their application),
- Full birth certificate or adoption certificate to confirm relationship to a child if applying for under 16-year-old,
- Proof of disability, if applicable,
- A device with a camera or a webcam (laptop/tablet/phone) to upload your proof.
If you can't apply online
Apply through school
Midlothian pupils should apply through their school.
Get an application form from your primary or secondary school office. IReturn the completed form to the school office. They will send it to the Young Scot team, who will issue a NEC or Young Scot card with travel.
Apply through the library
Local libraries and Midlothian Council will process applications only during summer holidays. Hand the completed form and relevant documents to your library, or email it to ptu@midlothian.gov.uk
Applying via the library or Midlothian Council may take longer than applying online. This is because we must carry out checks before we approve an application.
16 to 21 and already have an active NEC or Young Scot NEC?
Get free travel right away by downloading the Transport Scot Pass Collect app.
Visit the Free Bus website for information on how to download and use the app.
More information about the scheme
Check the Free Bus website for answers to specific queries about the scheme.