Free bus travel for under 22s

Nearly a million 5–21 year olds living in Scotland are eligible for free bus travel – and applications are now open!

If eligible you should apply as soon as possible, it takes around 10 days for your card to arrive.

You will need a new National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot National Entitlement Card (Young Scot NEC) before you can travel by bus with any bus company for free. Even if you already have one of these cards you must re-apply to be eligible for the free bus travel.

There are two ways to apply:

  • Online at getyournec.scot
  • Local council: if you cannot apply online please contact West Lothian Council who can tell you how to proceed

If you are eligible for this scheme, from 1st February West Lothian College will no longer be able to issue you with a bus ticket code for First Bus if you receive this so it’s important that you apply for the free bus travel as soon as possible. If you need assistance with this please contact West Lothian Council.