Get a disabled person's pass

What is a Disabled Person's Travel Pass?

If you’re disabled, you might be able to get a free bus pass for travel anywhere in England. Here’s a guide to help you understand how it works.

A Disabled Person's Travel Pass gives you free bus travel across England at the following times:  

• Monday to Friday: 9:30am to 11pm 
• Weekends and Public Holidays: All day 

Your pass also gives you free travel across bus, train and tram in the West Midlands at the following times: 

• Buses: 9:30am to 11:59pm 
• Trains in the Blue Zone: 9:30am to 11:59pm 
• Trams: 9:30am until the last service of the day 

If you live outside the West Midlands, contact your local authority to apply. 

Travelling before 9:30am

You will need to buy a ticket if you travel before 09:30am. 

On National Express West Midlands Buses, show your pass to the driver and ask for a single fare. For other operators, this option is also available, but the fare may vary. 

You can use your Disabled Person's Pass to pay for travel before 09:30am. Sign in to your account to add money to your pass. 

If you don’t have an account, you will need to create an account first and register your pass. Select ‘Add a Swift card to my account’ under account options to register your card. 

Under 18?

If you’re under 18 and have a Disabled Person's Travel Pass, you can travel before 9:30am during term time on bus only.

In order to apply for a Child Disabled Person’s Pass, you need to create an account or sign in to your adult Swift account first.

Eligibility

You can get a disabled person's travel pass if you: 

• have an eligible disability lasting at least 12 months and
• are aged 5 or over 

Eligible disabilities include: 

• blindness or partial sight 
• severe or profound deafness in both ears 
• inability to talk 
• difficulty walking 
• inability to use both arms
• learning disabilities 
• medical conditions preventing you from getting a UK driving licence 

You’ll need to provide proof of your disability when you apply. 

To get a disabled person's travel pass you must also live in a property where council tax is paid to one of these councils: 

• Birmingham 
• Coventry 
• Dudley 
• Sandwell 
• Solihull 
• Walsall 
• Wolverhampton 

You can find out where your council tax is paid to by using the GOV.UK postcode checker. 

How to apply

Online application

You can apply for a disabled person’s pass online.

You’ll need to upload copies of evidence that supports your disability. We’ll guide you and let you know what you need to provide for your disability.

Once your application has been submitted, it may take up to 6 weeks to review and process your application.

Paper application

You can also apply for a Disabled Person's Pass by post. Download the application form (regular, large print, or easy read) to print out and fill in, and then send the completed application and supporting evidence to the address on the form. 

Applying on behalf of a child 

The Child Disabled Person’s Pass must be linked to an adult Swift account.  

If you already have an adult Swift account but not a child account, you'll need to sign in and set up a child account first.  

If you don't have an adult Swift account, you'll need to create an account for yourself first and then sign in to set up a child account.  

To apply for a Child Disabled Person’s Pass:

1. Sign in to your account 
2. Select ‘Child accounts’ from the account menu options 
3. Select ‘Add child account’ 
4. Follow the on screen instructions to set up a child account  
5. Go to your child’s account  
6. Go to your main menu options at the top of the screen 
7. Select ‘You account’ 
8. Select ‘Apply for or manage discounts and free travel passes’   
9. Select ‘Disabled Person’s Pass’
10. Follow the on-screen instructions to apply for the Child Disabled Person’s Pass  
11. Once your application is approved, the pass will be ready to use when it arrives in the post within 5 working days. 

How to register your card

1. Sign in to your Swift account or create a new account 
2. Once signed in, select ‘Add a Swift card to my account’ under account options 
3. Follow the on-screen instructions

How to renew your travel pass 

We’ll contact you around 3 months before your pass expires. Depending on your disability, your pass might be automatically renewed, or you might need to apply again. Your renewal letter or email will explain what to do. 

We will also contact you by email, so it’s important to include your email address in your application form. 

How to update your pass details or photo

If your name changes, you can update your personal details in your Swift account. You can also use our contact us page to see a list of alternative ways to get it touch. 

If you need to update the photo on your pass, you can do so by email or by post. 

It's important to note that updating your photo won't trigger an automatic card replacement. Your new card will be issued at the time of renewal. If you need a new card with the updated photo before then, you can contact us. A fee will apply. 

Make sure you provide all the information listed so that there are no delays to receiving your pass when it’s due for renewal.  

Update your photo by email 

Email the following details to customerservices@tfwm.org.uk:

• A new, passport‑style colour photo with your full name written on the back

• Your full name 

• Your address 

• The 16‑digit number shown on the front of your travel pass 

Update your photo by post 

Send the following details by post: 

• A new, passport‑style colour photo- write your full name on the back of your photo 

• Your full name 

• Your address 

• The 16‑digit number shown on the front of your travel pass 

Please send everything to: