bus pass

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A card or ticket that lets you travel on buses for a set period or number of trips, often without paying each time.

   Grammar: Plural bus passes: I bought a monthly bus pass.

   Patterns

   • buy a bus pass
   • show your bus pass

   I bought a monthly bus pass to save money on my commute.

   Show your bus pass to the driver when you get on.

   She lost her bus pass and had to pay for a new one.

2. 2nouncountableBritish

   In Britain, a free or reduced-fare travel card given to older or disabled people.

   Grammar: Often used with possessives: my grandfather's bus pass.

   Patterns

   • get a bus pass
   • use a bus pass

   My grandmother uses her bus pass to visit friends across town.

   He finally applied for a bus pass when he turned sixty-six.

   The bus pass lets older residents travel free after nine thirty.

Word forms

Common combinations

monthly bus pass

A monthly bus pass is cheaper than paying every day.

student bus pass

The college sells a student bus pass at a discount.

renew a bus pass

You can renew a bus pass online.

swipe a bus pass

Swipe your bus pass on the reader as you board.

free bus pass

Residents over sixty-five qualify for a free bus pass.

Synonyms and how they differ

travel card

Travel card is broader and may cover trains and trams as well, while bus pass is limited to buses.

transit pass

Transit pass is the common American term for any public transport pass, while bus pass names buses only.

season ticket

Season ticket is mainly British and used for long-period travel tickets, especially trains, while bus pass is more general and also means concessions.

Word family

bus noun

a large road vehicle for passengers

pass noun

a document that gives permission to enter or travel

bus fare noun

the price of one bus trip

Commonly confused: bus pass or bus ticket?

Practice

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