How do I use a Concessionary bus pass?

Posted by Primary_Insurance764@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 28 comments

Hi everyone,
Ive been given a Concessionary bus pass to use when I go back to work after maternity leave. I’ve not used it yet but may need it very soon as my partner will be working when I need to get to work myself. I’m asking this as I’m really anxious about it and i massively fear embarrassment so like to be prepared. When giving/ showing my card to the driver, do I need to tell them where I want to go? It’s a non scannable card but it’s one where I get free travel. I’ll add a picture in the comments as a reference (obviously blurred for privacy) but so you guys have an idea of what I’m on about as I feel I’m terrible at describing. If I can avoid talking to people I will 😂

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Dreadpirateflappy@reddit

90% of the time I just scan it as they have NFC. Had a few bus drivers that want to know a destination, also had a few bus drivers when i first got it that were dicks and told me rudely I had to scan it (I had no idea at first)

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Primary_Insurance764@reddit (OP)

That’s why I like to know in advance in case i make myself look stupid

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Dreadpirateflappy@reddit

I had the exact same worry. :p

Mine is exactly the same card except a Bucks one. so yeah it has nfc and you tap it like a bank card on the machine near the driver.

In most counties you can't use it till after 9 (might be 9:30) which is a tad annoying. as most of the time I use a bus it's before that and I still have to pay.

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fussyfella@reddit

It possibly is different in other parts of the UK, but you just use it like a contactless card on the pad on the bus. For buses without a pad (I have never come across one) you show it to the driver.

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Gold-Tea1520@reddit

In my area I tap it on the same spot others tap contactless cards. Where I live I don’t need to say where I’m going. Just listen to what people in front of you do, or ask an older person in the region as their pass works the same.

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Primary_Insurance764@reddit (OP)

Bus pass I’m describing

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SuzLouA@reddit

Sounds like you’ve got good answers already, but just to add onto this, even though for you this is a brand new situation, for the bus driver this is a very standard conversation. The first time you use it, try to make it a time where the bus won’t be too chocka, look friendly, and just politely say something like, “hi, this is my first time using this pass - do I just tap it here?” If the bus doesn’t have an obvious place to tap, exchange that for something like, “do you need to scan it?” or even just “what do you do need from me?”

Bus drivers enjoy something of an uneven reputation when it comes to their mood, shall we say, but in my experience if you’re polite and direct, and therefore make your problem quick to resolve, they are happy to be kind and helpful in return.

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ceciem2100@reddit

Just like my freedom pass, it will tap no problem.

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jamesckelsall@reddit

The "ITSO" in the bottom left means your pass works like a contactless payment card.

If the bus you're on has a card reader, just tap the pass to the reader. Otherwise, just show the driver.

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Chemical-Mouse-9903@reddit

That looks like the standard bus pass that everyone has, it will be scannable, but what you do depends on the service provider, where I am you just scan the pass and get on, but other areas you may need to tell the driver your destination, don’t worry about embarrassment many people struggle with their passes so no one will bat an eyelid

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L-0-T-H-0-S@reddit

You just show it to the bus driver.

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sapphire-sky-dragon@reddit

You scan it like a bank card

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sapphire-sky-dragon@reddit

Thats a normal bus pass you just put it under the scanner, all bys passes are scannable as thats how the bus company gets the money if you just showed it to the driver they would have no clue how many where using buses.

Just scan and go no need to speak to thr driver.

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LaidBackLeopard@reddit

The good people of r/Cornwall might be able to help.

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nenoroci@reddit

You tap it on the ticket machine to register it. You only need to show it if you are asked. Most of the time they are in a hurry and don’t bother asking.

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Primary_Insurance764@reddit (OP)

Does it have a chip inside? There’s no barcode or QR code on it

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stauer88@reddit

Yes. Do you have tap and go in your area? Or ever pay by contactless card? It will work just like that as far as the action of scanning it.

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ununpentium89@reddit

Depending where you live, you either touch it to the reader and just get on, or you might have to show it to the driver and/or tell them your destination so they can print a ticket. On my local buses they always print a ticket out.

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thehoneybadger1223@reddit

You'll probably have to tap ot when you get on. It looks a lot like my mams disability travel pass. At first we had no clue how to use it, but the bus driver told us where to scan it and it's worked just fine.

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Horror-Meat958@reddit

You would normally still scan it but dont have to mention where you are going. I have the same pass.

In my area most people have a pass of some sort be it disabled or oap. Its a minority who pay a fixed fare

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Primary_Insurance764@reddit (OP)

It’s a scanable one? It has no QR code thing to scan?

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Chemical-Mouse-9903@reddit

It a built in scanner a bit like you contactless debit/credit card

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Horror-Meat958@reddit

Do you have a barcode on the back of your card?

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Primary_Insurance764@reddit (OP)

No, it’s just a load of information about the card

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