Confused Bus Drivers and the Mystery of the Disabled Bus Pass Companion Rule

"Don't tell me how to do my job!"

There are few things more frustrating than standing at the front of a bus, confidently showing a valid pass, and being told by the driver, “Sorry, only you can travel free.” 

You know the rule. You’ve read the small print. The pass literally says “+Companion”. Yet somehow, you find yourself explaining basic bus policy to someone who’s supposed to know it.

It’s a situation carers across the UK face far too often — the sheer confusion among some bus drivers over the fact that carers travelling with a disabled person can travel for free when the disabled person’s bus pass clearly states they are entitled to a companion.

The rule: clear on paper, murky on buses

Across the UK, many disabled people are issued with a Disabled Person’s Bus Pass under national or local concessionary travel schemes. These passes sometimes include a little mark or text — “+Companion” or simply “+C” — which means that one carer, friend, or assistant can accompany the pass holder for free on local bus services.

The idea is simple: some people need support when travelling, and that support shouldn’t come with a financial penalty. It’s a fair and compassionate rule — and one that should, in theory, make life easier.

But theory and practice, as anyone who’s tried to board a bus lately knows, aren’t always the same thing.

“Never heard of that rule, love.”

That’s the line that sets off the collective sigh of carers everywhere. Despite the clear wording on the pass, some drivers insist that the companion has to pay. Others wave it off with confusion, as though it’s the first time they’ve ever seen a “+Companion” in the wild.

In fairness, most drivers are polite and helpful — but it only takes one awkward encounter to sour a journey and cause unnecessary embarrassment. Disabled passengers and their carers shouldn’t have to justify or argue for something that’s clearly allowed.

Why the confusion keeps happening

The problem isn’t usually bad will — it’s inconsistent training and inconsistent information.

Bus companies operate across multiple council areas, each with slightly different pass designs, wordings, and schemes. One council might print “+C” in bold on the card, while another hides “+Companion” in a small corner. For a driver who sees hundreds of passes a day, it’s easy to miss or misunderstand.

On top of that, not every company updates its driver training regularly, meaning some simply don’t know what the symbol means. Also, some bus drivers think they know it all and don't bother to attend training or tune out what is being said by their trainer.

What should happen

If the pass says “+Companion”, then the person accompanying the disabled passenger travels free. End of story.

There’s no need for argument, no need for confusion, and certainly no need for carers to pay out of pocket when the rule is printed right there on the card.

The only conditions are straightforward:

The carer must be travelling with the disabled person.

The journey must be on the same service and at the same time.

That’s it. No loopholes. No fine print.

How to handle it if challenged

If you find yourself on the receiving end of a confused look or refusal, here’s what to do:

Stay calm and polite – it’s rarely personal; often it’s just lack of training.

Point out the “+Companion” or “+C” symbol on the pass.

If necessary, explain that local authorities and bus companies recognise it as free companion travel.

If the driver still refuses, note the time, route, and driver number, and report it later to the bus company and your local council’s transport department.

Most transport authorities take these reports seriously, and it helps highlight where more training is needed.

A call for clearer communication

It shouldn’t fall to passengers to educate bus drivers on their own rules. What’s needed is better communication between councils and bus companies — clear guidance, consistent designs, and regular reminders that these passes are lifelines, not privileges.

After all, the whole point of concessionary schemes is to make public transport accessible and inclusive.

In the end, it’s about dignity.

For many disabled people, bus travel means independence. For their carers, it’s part of their daily routine — often unpaid, often unrecognised, but vital.

No one should have to argue for that independence at the ticket machine. The “+Companion” pass is there for a reason — to make sure both passengers can travel with dignity and ease.

So here’s hoping that one day soon, every driver will see that little “+C” and instantly know what it means: two travellers, one fare, and no confusion.