Companion bus pass
Any Herefordshire resident who qualifies for a disabled person's bus pass on the grounds of disability, and because of that disability is unable to travel on a bus without the assistance of another person, can apply for a companion pass.
You will be entitled to free travel anywhere in England within permitted off-peak times but your companion will only be entitled to free travel on journeys that start in Herefordshire. If you travel outside of the Herefordshire county border your companion will have to pay for their own travel. A holder of a companion pass may start a bus journey in the area of Herefordshire independently, but if accompanied by a companion, both pass holder and companion must board and get off the vehicle at the same point.
Please note that your companion will not receive a separate pass and your companion cannot use your pass without you. The pass that is issued to you will have a C symbol printed in the top right hand corner which indicates that you will be able to take a companion of your choice such as a carer, relative or friend to assist you when travelling.
In addition to meeting the disability criteria specified on the disabled person's bus pass, you must also provide evidence using one of the options below if you want to prove that you also qualify for a companion pass.
Companion pass evidence
| Disability | Evidence |
|---|---|
| The applicant is in receipt or has been awarded the higher/enhanced rate care component of Disability Living Allowance/PIP. | A copy of the award letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or confirmation of award stating that the applicant is in receipt or has been awarded the higher/enhanced rate care component of DLA/PIP. The award date should not have expired and the evidence should be dated within the last 12 months. |
| The applicant is in receipt or has been awarded Attendance Allowance issued by the DWP | Attendance Allowance award notice or letter from the DWP stating that the applicant has qualified for Attendance Allowance. The award date should not have expired and the evidence should be dated within the last 12 months. |
| The applicant has been certified as blind and in consequence is registered as blind in a register | A letter from Herefordshire Council, RNIB, or other Blind Society confirming the applicant is registered as blind on a register maintained by or on behalf of Herefordshire Council. |
| The applicant lives in a care/residential home or hospital and are eligible for the higher/enhanced rate care component of the DLA/PIP or Attendance Allowance | A copy of the award letter from the DWP or confirmation of award stating that the applicant is in receipt of higher/enhanced rate care component of DLA/PIP. Or a copy of the award notice from DWP or confirmation of award stating that the applicant is in receipt of Attendance Allowance. The award date should not have expired and the evidence should be dated within the last 12 months. |
The applicant has a medical condition preventing independent travel, for example:
|
Letter on headed paper from a medical professional clearly confirming a specified medical condition that prevents independent travel. You may ask your GP to provide a letter, but this is not an NHS service. The doctor is not obliged to provide one. As this is a private service you would be charged for a letter. We do not deal directly with GPs and we cannot contact them on your behalf. |
Online
When completing your online application, you will be required to upload evidence of your disability to confirm that you are eligible for a disabled person's bus pass. To apply for a companion pass you must also upload evidence from one of the categories shown above and write clearly on the document that you are also applying for companion entitlement.
Apply for a companion bus pass
In person
If you cannot apply online at home, we provide an appointment-only bus pass assistance service at Blueschool House, Blueschool Street, Hereford where we will take a photo of you in the office and assist you to complete the form:
- Every Wednesday: 10am to 12 noon
Appointments for Hereford can be booked by calling 01432 260005.
You will need to take your supporting documents for a companion pass in addition to those that are required for a disabled person's bus pass.