{"id":15320,"date":"2024-10-09T18:30:38","date_gmt":"2024-10-09T18:30:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/re\/stfergus\/?p=15320"},"modified":"2024-10-09T18:30:38","modified_gmt":"2024-10-09T18:30:38","slug":"free-bus-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/re\/stfergus\/2024\/10\/09\/free-bus-travel\/","title":{"rendered":"Free Bus Travel"},"content":{"rendered":"

Under 22s Free Bus Travel Cards<\/strong><\/p>\n

All children and young people resident in Scotland who are aged 5-21 are entitled to free bus travel within Scotland.\u00a0 They can access it using their National Entitlement Card (NEC) which must be applied for.<\/p>\n

Children aged 5-10 receive a Junior NEC.\u00a0 This is a plain card that has the saltire as a background, your child\u2019s name, the card number and a valid to date.\u00a0 Once your child is 11 or over, they are entitled to a different card called a Young Scot NEC which looks different and offers extra benefits.<\/p>\n

How do I get a Junior NEC for my 5\u201310-year-old child?<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you have a parentsportal.scot account set up, you can simply apply using that.\u00a0 You can use this video guide<\/a> to see how it\u2019s done.\u00a0 Please note that only the main contact on the account can apply this way.<\/p>\n

You can also apply online at getyournec.scot<\/a> though this option does require that you have proof documents both for yourself and your child.<\/p>\n

You can also apply by completing the application form at your child\u2019s primary school office (Renfrewshire primary schools only). All you need to do is fill out your child\u2019s name and sign the consent to include free bus travel on their card.\u00a0 Please note this option should not be used for replacement cards.<\/p>\n

What if my child is 11 or over?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Once a child is 11, they can no longer be issued with a Junior NEC.\u00a0 The Young Scot NEC is for 11\u201325-year-olds still offers free bus travel up until the age of 22.\u00a0 It also offers extra benefits such as discounts, proof of age\/ID and Young Scot Membership.<\/p>\n

To get a Young Scot NEC, you can apply online at getyournec.scot<\/a> or at any local library in Renfrewshire.\u00a0 If you choose to apply at the library, you will need to be there if your child is under 16 and you need to take along a printed passport photo or a photo in a similar style cut to size.\u00a0 If your child is in school in Renfrewshire, you won\u2019t need to take any proof documents as we can use their school record to verify all of their details.\u00a0 If they are not in school or have left, you will need to take along suitable proof documents<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you have already had a Junior NEC and simply want to upgrade to a Young Scot NEC, don\u2019t worry, you don\u2019t need to go through the application process again. The Junior NEC will last up until your child turns 12 but they can get a Young Scot NEC from age 11 which gives you a full year to upgrade them.\u00a0 Simply email us at nec@renfrewshire.gov.uk<\/a> with your child\u2019s name, date of birth and address and let us know you are looking to upgrade them to a Young Scot NEC.\u00a0 Please also include a photograph of them.\u00a0 It must be taken against a plain light or white background, with no objects lines or patterns behind them and they must be looking straight ahead.\u00a0 Something taken on a phone or tablet is fine.\u00a0 We will access their existing record and issue a new card.\u00a0 Once the new card is issued, their Junior NEC will stop working, and you will need to wait for the new card to access free bus travel.<\/p>\n

Primary 7 Bulk Exercise<\/strong><\/p>\n

Each year, we run an exercise to help those who have not yet upgraded to a Young Scot card.\u00a0 This typically happens around March\/April with the aim of getting cards out before Summer.\u00a0 You can use the options above to apply yourself instead of this though.<\/p>\n

How do I get a replacement card?<\/strong><\/p>\n

If your card is lost, damaged, or not working, email\u00a0nec@renfrewshire.gov.uk<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0with your name, date of birth, and address to request a replacement. If it is a Young Scot NEC, contact us if you need to update the photograph.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t use email, you can also call\u00a00300 300 0300 <\/strong>or ask the school office to contact us on your behalf to request a replacement. Please note, only one card can be active at a time, so previous cards will stop working immediately once a replacement is issued.\u00a0 You do not need to fill out a new application form for a replacement card.<\/p>\n

What other card types are available?<\/strong><\/p>\n