Northumberland buses

County advice overview

The Northumberland area is covered by three main bus companies which provide concessionary travel schemes including bus passes.  

Many bus services in Northumberland are operated with low floor buses. These have powered or manual ramps to make it easier for disabled people to board and dedicated wheelchair spaces. The bus will also have handrails and hand poles that are easy to see and grip, to help you keep your balance while you look for a seat.

All drivers and conductors have received assistance training and will help passengers where necessary. 

Go North East, Stagecoach and Arriva offer Journey Assistance Cards for passengers who may have limited vision or hearing, difficulty in communicating (including if English is not your first language), special educational needs or for passengers who need extra time or help to find a seat. 

You can apply for these online, on each bus operator’s website.

Key tips 

One of your options, if you are no longer driving, is to use the bus. If you live near a bus route, this can be an easy way to do shopping and make other essential or leisure trips. 

You can plan ahead by finding route information and timetables online or by phoning your local authority or bus company. 
Buses can only stop at marked bus stops, so you need to be sure where you are getting off in advance. There are also often announcements, both spoken and on a screen, to inform you of the next stop. You can also ask the driver to let you know when your stop is approaching.

Consider if your nearest bus stop and the destination bus stop are accessible, if you are travelling with a mobility scooter or wheelchair.

Regional operators

Nexus

https://www.nexus.org.uk/

Covers parts of Northumberland.

Go North East

https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/

Operates across Northumberland.

Stagecoach North East

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/

Bus services run in parts of Northumberland.

Arriva

https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/north-east

Buses run throughout the country. Information is available online.

Border Buses

https://www.bordersbuses.co.uk/

Covers Berwick and the borders. Buses and coaches are fully wheelchair accessible.

Help with cost  

Older Person’s Bus Pass

Concessionary Bus Passes are available for older people who have reached state pension age and are a resident in the Northumberland area. The Older Person’s Bus Pass entitles you to free travel on bus services throughout England, from 9.30am to 11.00am, Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and on public holidays.

Residents of Northumberland can apply for a concessionary bus on the Northumberland County Council website.

Disabled Person’s Bus Pass

If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Person’s Bus Pass if you are residing in Northumberland. There is no upper age restriction for the Disabled Person’s Bus Pass. 

Information on eligibility and how to apply for the Disabled Person’s Bus Pass can be found on the Northumberland County Council website.

Special Assistance

Go North East, Stagecoach and Arriva offer Journey Assistance Cards for passengers who may have limited vision or hearing, difficulty in communicating (including if English is not your first language), special educational needs or for passengers who need extra time or help to find a seat.

Download a Journey Assistance Card on the Go North East website.

Download a Journey Assistance Card on the Stagecoach website.

Download a Journey Assistance Card on the Arriva website.

Passport Schemes

The Disabled Person’s Companion Pass 

If you are unable to travel alone, you may be eligible to a Companion Pass for a carer, relative or friend. 

You can find further details and an application form on the Northumberland County Council website.

Travelling with mobility equipment

All local bus services should now provide wheelchair accessible buses with low floors and a ramp which the driver can extend to help you get on and off.

There will also be a dedicated area for a passenger to sit in a wheelchair.

Travelling with a scooter

Bus companies have different rules about the size and type of scooters that they will allow on board. 

In general, scooters should be no more than 600mm wide and 1000mm long and be able to turn in a space of 1200mm. Always contact your local bus company before travelling, to check the rules in your area and to find out if your scooter will be accepted.

Assistance dogs

All recognised guide dogs and assistance dogs are allowed to travel for free on buses.

Journey planning

If you have not travelled locally by bus before, you can find route information and timetables online or by phoning your local authority or bus company. Be aware that online tickets for buses are often non-refundable if you cannot make your journey.

Nexus

Provide a journey planner with live times and timetables.

Go Northeast

Provide a journey planner, live times, fare and ticket information.

Stagecoach

Provide a journey planner, maps, and timetables.

Arriva

Provide a journey planner and ‘Find my Bus’ service.

Border Buses

Provide a journey planner, timetable and maps.

Traveline

Is a partnership of transport companies, local authorities and passenger groups which have come together to bring you routes and times for all travel in Great Britain by bus, rail, coach and ferry and to provide it in as many different ways as possible. 

You can check when the next buses in Northumberland are due at your chosen stop here.

Your nearest bus stop should provide seating and shelter in case you have to wait for a bus. In the bigger towns and cities, it may also include live information on when the next bus is due.