FAQ's.

What is the Scotland-wide Concessionary Travel Scheme for young people?

The Scotland-wide Concessionary Travel Scheme for young people started on 8 January 2007. It allows all 16 –18 year olds and young full-time volunteers concessionary travel on buses, rail and ferries (where applicable).

What is a Young Scot National Entitlement Card?

It provides standard branding helping transport operators to recognise it easily. It provides the photographic evidence which is used alongside your Scottish Youth Rail Card and ferry vouchers (if applicable). It'll be useful in the future too, as Local Authorities roll out other discounts and services you are eligible for, so it's important to keep it safe. As the card holds the Young Scot branding with the PASS hologram on it, you can use it as proof-of-age.

How much does it cost?

Absolutely nothing. Only the time it takes to complete an application form, gather the correct documentation and get your application processed.

Are there any conditions attached?

You are the only person allowed to use your Young Scot National Entitlement Card. It is not transferable. Allowing someone else to use it is fraud and may lead to your entitlement to concessionary travel being withdrawn.

Travel using a Young Scot National Entitlement Card is subject to the normal regulations and conditions of carriage of the transport operators concerned. Your card gives you the same rights as you enjoyed being a full-fare paying passenger.

You should not attempt to obtain free travel with your Young Scot National Entitlement Card if you are not entitled to do so.

Where can I find information to help me plan my journey around Scotland?

Traveline Scotland provides journey planning information for people wanting to use public transport to get around Scotland. To access this journey planning information you should call 0871 200 2233 or visit the website www.travelinescotland.com.

What if my new National Entitlement Card is lost, damaged or stolen?

Please contact your local authority who will arrange for a replacement to be issued. The new electronic system will allow Transport Scotland to put a stop on your lost or stolen card ensuring that it cannot be used by anyone else.

What is Young Scot?

Young Scot is the national youth information agency for Scotland and is a registered charity. Your Young Scot National Entitlement Card will have Young Scot branding, giving you access to all of the Young Scot information services, as well as discounts and specia offers in over 1,800 places in Scotland and in over 200,000 places in 42 European countries. The new card will also have the PASS hologram on it, meaning you can use it as proof of age card across the UK. You can find out more at www.youngscot.org/nec or by telephoning the Young Scot Info Line 0808 801 0388.

How do I claim my travel concession?

Bus

You are entitled to one-third off adult single fares on virtually all scheduled local registered and long-distance bus services available to the general public. Only a small number of services will not recognise your Young Scot National Entitlement Card, for example premium fare buses and City Sightseeing buses. There are no boundary restrictions within Scotland and regardless of the distance, with your Young Scot National Entitlement Card, you will be able to claim a one-third discount.

In addition, the Scotland-wide Concessionary Travel Scheme for young people includes bus services to and from Carlisle from Dumfries and Galloway; and to and from Berwick-upon-Tweed. Your Young Scot National Entitlement Card does not give you concessionary travel within Carlisle or Berwick-upon-Tweed.

For long-distance journeys you may wish to pay a booking fee to guarantee your seat. Please contact the bus operator to check whether a fee is payable.

Over the coming months buses are being fitted with new electronic ticket machines. Once that is done your Young Scot National Entitlement Card will act as an electronic card that will allow your journey to be accurately recorded by the bus driver. If a bus has a new ticket machine the driver will show you what to do with your card once you are on the bus.

However, until this happens, you will be issued with a Bus Concessionary Card which will help the bus driver identify that you are entitled to a discount. To claim your discount, you should show your Bus Concessionary Card to the driver. The driver will charge you two-thirds of the adult single fare. You can claim your discount on local registered services and long-distance bus services within Scotland.

Rail

You are entitled to a free Scottish Youth Rail (SYR) Card. The card will allow you to buy rail tickets and season tickets at one-third off. You will find enclosed with your Young Scot National Entitlement Card a voucher that has your photograph and Young Scot National Entitlement Card number printed on it. If you would like to have a SYR Card, simply take your voucher to your local rail ticket office. You must also present your Young Scot National Entitlement Card. The voucher will be taken from you and exchanged for a SYR Card. For further information please see www.firstscotrail.com. Your SYR Card must be used in conjunction with your Young Scot National Entitlement Card when you are travelling by rail.

Holders of a Scottish Youth Rail Card are entitled to:

• One-third off most rail fares
• One-third off all season tickets
• One-third off most advance purchases
• No minimum fare on ‘off peak’ fares
• No minimum fares in July and August

Please note that you will need to spend a minimum of £16 on Standard Day Returns and Standard Open Returns when travelling before 10am (Monday to Friday) and spend a minimum of £8 on Standard Singles, when travelling at this time, in order to receive the one-third discount.

If you are 16-18 and already possess a Young Scot National Entitlement Card as part of the Scotland-wide free bus travel scheme for disabled people, you will be sent a voucher for a SYR Card. This will be done automatically, so please do not apply for a second Young Scot National Entitlement Card.
If your SYR Card is lost or stolen, please go to your local rail ticket office to obtain a duplicate.

Please note: You are not able to use your Young Scot National Entitlement Card to purchase a SPT Zonecard or travel at a discounted rate on the Glasgow subway. This is because Zonecards provide an already discounted rate.

Ferry

If you are resident on a Scottish island, you are eligible for two free return journeys to the mainland each year. You will find enclosed with your Young Scot National Entitlement Card, four free ferry vouchers that have your photograph and Young Scot National Entitlement Card number printed on them. When you arrive to travel on the ferry you must present your Young Scot National Entitlement Card and ferry voucher to the ferry company. A voucher will be taken from you and exchanged for a ticket for the journey.

Ferry vouchers expire on 31 March and you will be reissued with a new set automatically that will commence on 1 April each year. This will continue until your 19th birthday.

The vouchers issued to you will allow you to travel from a Scottish island to the mainland. If you need to make an inter-island journey first, you are eligible for vouchers for this part of the journey too. They will be issued to you upon request, just telephone Transport Scotland on 0141 272 7175 or email yp@transportscotland.gsi.gov.uk.