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County Durham Travel Scheme incorporating the English National Concessionary Bus Travel Scheme

All residents in County Durham who are aged 60 or over, plus eligeable disabled people, are entitled to a pass which gives free travel on local buses anywhere in England, as well as locally in and around County Durham.

Summary of the County Durham Travel Scheme

(For full terms and conditions contact the appropriate District or Borough council):
  • There is no charge for the issue of the permit however a charge may be made for lost passes.
  • The pass can only be used by the named person.
  • The permit must be shown every time you travel and entitles you to free travel on local bus journeys within the scope of the scheme.
  • For journeys in and around County Durham a ticket must be issued by the driver, but this may not be the case when using the pass outside the Couny Durham area.
  • The new pass is a smartcard and contains a micro chip that can be read by certain types of card reader. These readers are not currently used in County Durham but may apply on buses elsewhere. Pass holders must comply with instructions from bus drivers regarding this when boarding the bus.
  • There is no limit on travel times for journeys wholly within, or starting in, County Durham.
  • The permit cannot be used before 0930 or after 2300 Monday to Friday for journeys wholly outside, or starting outside, County Durham.
  • The permit can be used on all public local bus services (including local limited stop express services, for example X1 Middlesbrough to Newcastle) in England.
  • The permit may not be used for travel on coach trips, excursions and National Express coach services.
  • The permit may not be used for travel in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or Channel Islands.
  • County Durham Travel Scheme pass holders are entitled to half fare on local train journeys within the scope of the scheme.
  • The permit may not be used on any rail transport outside County Durham such as the Tyne & Wear Metro.
  • The pass may be withdrawn by a bus or train operator if it is misused.


Participating District and Borough Councils

The District and Borough Councils listed below all take part in the County Durham Travel Scheme and meet most of the costs but the scheme is run on their behalf by Durham County Council. For further details about eligibility and for any questions about the issue or renewal of a permit you should contact the appropriate District or Borough Council:

Chester-le-Street District Council
Customer Services
Civic Centre
Chester-le-Street
DH3 3UT

Tel: 0191 3871919
Chester-le-Street District Council
Email: customerservices@chester-le-street.gov.uk

Derwentside District Council
Customer Services
Civic Centre
Medomsley Road
Consett
DH8 5JA

Tel: 01207 693693
Derwentside District Council

City of Durham
Customer Services
17 Claypath
Durham
DH1 1RH

Tel: 0191 3018499
Durham City Council

District of Easington
Concessionary Travel Section
Council Offices
Easington

Tel: 0191 5270501
Easington District Council

Sedgefield Borough Council
Neighbourhood Services Department
Council Offices
Spennymoor
DL16 6JQ

Tel: 01388 816166
Email: coreservices@sedgefield.gov.uk

Teesdale District
Teesdale House
Galgate
Barnard Castle
DL12 8EL

Tel: 01833 690000
Teesdale District Council

Wear Valley District
Civic Centre
Crook
DL15 9ES

Tel: 01388 765555
Wear Valley District Council