Open-top buses & ENCTS

[kijeta]

Is there a way to easily check whether ENCTS are accepted on open top routes? I phoned up stagecoach the other day, and spoke to an agent who was under the impression that all open top routes are excluded (which is not true as the 599 in the Lake District is included in the scheme).

I find that most open top routes tend to have a promotional page, which does clearly state that ENCTS is not accepted on the route (or otherwise provides a fare for concessions, which is a pretty clear indication it's not free), but is there a way to search it on, e.g., the route registration?

 

[TheSel]

Is there a way to easily check whether ENCTS are accepted on open top routes? I phoned up stagecoach the other day, and spoke to an agent who was under the impression that all open top routes are excluded (which is not true as the 599 in the Lake District is included in the scheme).

I find that most open top routes tend to have a promotional page, which does clearly state that ENCTS is not accepted on the route (or otherwise provides a fare for concessions, which is a pretty clear indication it's not free), but is there a way to search it on, e.g., the route registration?

Well, clearly the Stagecoach agent needs retraining. Specifically with reference to their services in the Lake District, the Summer 2026 timetable booklet is available on line here and on page 4 includes the note:

"English National Concessionary†† passes are accepted meaning holders can travel for FREE on all our routes."

The †† footnote is further defined as:

†† Concession: If you have an English National Concessionary pass you can travel for free between 0930 and 2300 Monday to Friday, and travel for free all day Saturday and Sunday including public holidays. Anyone else over 66 can travel at a concessionary rate.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Is there a way to easily check whether ENCTS are accepted on open top routes?

Not really.

ENCTS is valid on normal service routes. It is not valid on tourist services.

Sometimes the distinction is very clear: sightseeing buses are clearly tourist services and so ENCTS isn't valid.

Sometimes it isn't so clear cut. Stagecoach don't accept ENCTS on their Peak Sightseer open-top services, even though they are registered as public routes. But over in Cumbria they do accept ENCTS on the 78 and 599, even though those services are very similar to the Peak Sightseer. Similar with the Needles Breezer, for example; registered as a public service route, but doesn't accept ENCTS.

 

[kijeta]

Well, clearly the Stagecoach agent needs retraining. Specifically with reference to their services in the Lake Disttrict, the Summer 2026 timetable booklet is available on line here and on page 4 includes the note:

"English National Concessionary†† passes are accepted meaning holders can travel for FREE on all our routes."

The †† footnote is further defined as:

†† Concession: If you have an English National Concessionary pass you can travel for free between 0930 and 2300 Monday to Friday, and travel for free all day Saturday and Sunday including public holidays. Anyone else over 66 can travel at a concessionary rate.

Thanks.

Which other open top routes do accept ENCTS?

From what I can piece together (assuming that ENCTS is not accepted by default, unless explicitly stated) in these pages: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/south-east/thanet-open-top, https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/south-west/open-top-bus-sightseeing-tours-in-devon, https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/yorkshire/peak-sightseer, https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/east-midlands/skegness-seasiders, Lake District and Skegness are the only two Stagecoach Subsidiaries that accept them? Skegness cryptically mentions "... badges available to a child with a full paying passenger or someone with a concessionary pass".

Some First bus open top routes (https://www.firstbus.co.uk/bristol-bath-and-west/explore-weston-sand-bay) are included in the day ticket, but no indication on ENCTS validity from what I can find. First Norwich (https://www.firstbus.co.uk/norfolk-...wich-never-new-norwich-sightseer-open-top-bus) explictly states a concessions fare, so it's not included.

Morebus Purbeck Breezer 40/50, and Southern Vectis Summer Links (specific morning and evening journeys only, and none of the other Southern Vectis routes) accept them (through word of mouth).

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Is there a way to easily check whether ENCTS are accepted on open top routes? I phoned up stagecoach the other day, and spoke to an agent who was under the impression that all open top routes are excluded (which is not true as the 599 in the Lake District is included in the scheme).

I find that most open top routes tend to have a promotional page, which does clearly state that ENCTS is not accepted on the route (or otherwise provides a fare for concessions, which is a pretty clear indication it's not free), but is there a way to search it on, e.g., the route registration?

Suspect the operative was confused between City Sightseeing (i.e. open top tours) which ARE excluded from ENCTS, and then the others which are bus services that happen to be operated by an open topper https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/national/stagecoach-open-top-bus EDIT: don't know about Thanet.

I'd expect the same from First in that you can use on Great Yarmouth 1c and the Weymouth ones but not TOOTBus in Bath or London. Certainly, Weston super Mare is a year round service and the only link for many locals that happens to have open toppers in summer.

For Southern Vectis... https://www.islandbuses.info/concessionary-passes - oddly it's not entirely obvious about GSC's New Forest Tour but eventually found that it too has special fares https://www.morebus.co.uk/tickets-and-prices-new-forest-tour. The other routes like the 40/50 also function as year round routes so anticipate that they will be valid.

 

[Thames99]

Thanks.

Which other open top routes do accept ENCTS?

From what I can piece together (assuming that ENCTS is not accepted by default, unless explicitly stated) in these pages: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/south-east/thanet-open-top, https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/south-west/open-top-bus-sightseeing-tours-in-devon, https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/yorkshire/peak-sightseer, https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/east-midlands/skegness-seasiders, Lake District and Skegness are the only two Stagecoach Subsidiaries that accept them? Skegness cryptically mentions "... badges available to a child with a full paying passenger or someone with a concessionary pass".

Some First bus open top routes (https://www.firstbus.co.uk/bristol-bath-and-west/explore-weston-sand-bay) are included in the day ticket, but no indication on ENCTS validity from what I can find. First Norwich (https://www.firstbus.co.uk/norfolk-...wich-never-new-norwich-sightseer-open-top-bus) explictly states a concessions fare, so it's not included.

Morebus Purbeck Breezer 40/50, and Southern Vectis Summer Links (specific morning and evening journeys only, and none of the other Southern Vectis routes) accept them (through word of mouth).

Morebus 40/ 50 Purbeck Breezer buses certainly accept ENCTS passes, apart from the usual exception for services before 09.30.

 

[JKP]

If I recall correctly some local authorities will not pay the concessionary compensation for what is regarded as tourist orientated routes which is why ENCT cards are not valid. Devon CC was one. Not sure for example whether the Exmoor open top fell into this catagory.

 

[markymark2000]

Is there a way to easily check whether ENCTS are accepted on open top routes? I phoned up stagecoach the other day, and spoke to an agent who was under the impression that all open top routes are excluded (which is not true as the 599 in the Lake District is included in the scheme).

I find that most open top routes tend to have a promotional page, which does clearly state that ENCTS is not accepted on the route (or otherwise provides a fare for concessions, which is a pretty clear indication it's not free), but is there a way to search it on, e.g., the route registration?

While I don't think there are any easy ways to check UK wide, a good rule of thumb is that if the route charges normal local bus rates and normal local bus day tickets are accepted onboard, then ENCTS passes are valid as normal in line with the normal scheme rules for that area.

If the route charges a higher than average fare, the route has it's own day ticket range and/or and 'addon'/supplementary fare applies for holders of the normal local bus tickets, then ENCTS will almost certainly not be valid for free travel but may entitle you to a discounted concessionary rate.

 

[Mark L]

There is more detail here - https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...-england-national-concessionary-travel-scheme - scroll down to eligible services.

 

[ALEMASTER]

The obvious thing would be to check the operator website for the service in question.

As a rule, if it is advertised as an open top tour with special ticketing, it is not included in the ENCTS scheme. If it is a normal local service bus that operates all year around that happens to be open top during the summer months then ENCTS is more likely to be valid.

ENCTS is for local public transport service buses and is not intended to include tourist services, special event shuttles, long distance coaches etc.

 

[Pyewipecarshed]

Skegness cryptically mentions "... badges available to a child with a full paying passenger or someone with a concessionary pass".

ENCTS passes are valid on the Skegness service because it's a normal, all-year-round route. The frequency increases for the summer and some/all/most journeys become open-top operated for the season, depending what mood the hybrid E400's are in on that particular day!
They are also valid AFAIK on the Cleethorpes service, which although seasonal, is classed as a local bus service.

 

[AM9]

The obvious thing would be to check the operator website for the service in question.

As a rule, if it is advertised as an open top tour with special ticketing, it is not included in the ENCTS scheme. If it is a normal local service bus that operates all year around that happens to be open top during the summer months then ENCTS is more likely to be valid.

ENCTS is for local public transport service buses and is not intended to include tourist services, special event shuttles, long distance coaches etc.

As far as I can see, ENCTS passes are valid on all buses in Cornwall (except Truro Park & Ride and privately contracted coaches/buses). That includes services that are usually operated with open top vehicles in the summer months. I have used my pass on the route 1/2 (St Ives to Penzance via Lands End) service more than once.
Maybe Cornwall is an exception as also offers exceptional discounts aimed at (paying) visitors such as the Ride Cornwall day ticket which is a all bus service £2.00 addition to all Cornwall National Rail travel.

 

[Dwarfer1979]

Not really.

ENCTS is valid on normal service routes. It is not valid on tourist services.

Sometimes the distinction is very clear: sightseeing buses are clearly tourist services and so ENCTS isn't valid.

Sometimes it isn't so clear cut. Stagecoach don't accept ENCTS on their Peak Sightseer open-top services, even though they are registered as public routes. But over in Cumbria they do accept ENCTS on the 78 and 599, even though those services are very similar to the Peak Sightseer. Similar with the Needles Breezer, for example; registered as a public service route, but doesn't accept ENCTS.

It is up to the local council to decide whether they wish to include or exclude any services - there are a number of categories they can use to exclude a service (where the vehicle is part of the attraction is one - that would cover open tops - or seasonality which could also cover many and some may get caught by having fares higher than normal bus services as excess fares is another category) but they don't have to if they feel that keeping it included serves a need for them.

 

[geoffk]

ENCTS passes are valid on Stagecoach South West 95 (Exmouth - Sandy Bay), which is a normal local service, albeit with no winter service.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Suspect the operative was confused between City Sightseeing (i.e. open top tours) which ARE excluded from ENCTS, and then the others which are bus services that happen to be operated by an open topper

Lake District and Skegness are the only two Stagecoach Subsidiaries that accept them?

I think that's probably it- the person in the customer contact centre didn't twig that the 78 and the 599 are unusual in accepting ENCTS. I think South Shields have finally got rid of their handful of elderly open-toppers which used to make sporadic summer appearances on the E1 and E2.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 31 Mar 2026 ==

It is up to the local council to decide whether they wish to include or exclude any services - there are a number of categories they can use to exclude a service (where the vehicle is part of the attraction is one - that would cover open tops - or seasonality which could also cover many and some may get caught by having fares higher than normal bus services as excess fares is another category) but they don't have to if they feel that keeping it included serves a need for them.

True, although it is usually a decision that's reached amicably between the operator and the council. If the operator don't want to accept ENCTS on these types of services, it is unlikely that the council would be able to force them to.

Seasonality seems to be the big deciding factor for ENCTS acceptance: the routes that ENCTS are accepted on tend to be the routes that operate year-round. Some of them, like the 78 and 599, even operate year-round with open toppers.

 

[mangad]

Sometimes it isn't so clear cut. Stagecoach don't accept ENCTS on their Peak Sightseer open-top services, even though they are registered as public routes. But over in Cumbria they do accept ENCTS on the 78 and 599, even though those services are very similar to the Peak Sightseer. Similar with the Needles Breezer, for example; registered as a public service route, but doesn't accept ENCTS.

One factor in Cumbria is the routes themselves. You've got the 508, 78 and 599. The 508 open top services are additional runs on top of a non-open top service, and is the main bus route through Pooley Bridge and Patterdale. The 78 has a very long history. You can see it in this 1982 Cumberland timetable (although back then it was numbered the 79). It's the main bus route down the Borrowdale valley and until a few years ago was only open top in summer. The earliest reference I can find to the 599 was back in 1997, and wasn't mentioned as being open top. You can view the Cumbria routes as basically local bus services that happen to be open toppers. Not that being open top is actually guaranteed on them either!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

True, although it is usually a decision that's reached amicably between the operator and the council. If the operator don't want to accept ENCTS on these types of services, it is unlikely that the council would be able to force them to.

Seasonality seems to be the big deciding factor for ENCTS acceptance: the routes that ENCTS are accepted on tend to be the routes that operate year-round. Some of them, like the 78 and 599, even operate year-round with open toppers.

One factor in Cumbria is the routes themselves. You've got the 508, 78 and 599. The 508 open top services are additional runs on top of a non-open top service, and is the main bus route through Pooley Bridge and Patterdale. The 78 has a very long history. You can see it in this 1982 Cumberland timetable (although back then it was numbered the 79). It's the main bus route down the Borrowdale valley and until a few years ago was only open top in summer. The earliest reference I can find to the 599 was back in 1997, and wasn't mentioned as being open top. You can view the Cumbria routes as basically local bus services that happen to be open toppers. Not that being open top is actually guaranteed on them either!

ENCTS is designed around ensuring access to public transport. Routes that are primarily for tourism can be excluded.

Service like 78 to Borrowdale and the 599, and others such as More 40/50 in Dorset and First's 1 in Weston super Mare may attract a lot of tourists but they do perform a specific local bus service facility for local residents (even if it is with an open topper).

Therefore, the council is likely to accept that ENCTS is a valid requirement and will fund it accordingly.

I'm sure there are others but the 1C in Great Yarmouth is one that does accept ENCTS (I think) but it very much a tourist service along the sea front and links with the holiday camps. However, it does serve Caister and Hemsby and can be used as a local bus service so it does accept twirlies.

 

[David57]

The 1C in Great Yarmouth defiantly accepts ENCTS cards.

 

[Man of Kent]

Suspect the operative was confused between City Sightseeing (i.e. open top tours) which ARE excluded from ENCTS, and then the others which are bus services that happen to be operated by an open topper https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/national/stagecoach-open-top-bus EDIT: don't know about Thanet.

ENCTS is not accepted on the Thanet service, but there is a concessionary day ticket (£5).

 

[dgl]

All the First Wessex open-top services accept and ENCTS pass, those services being the 11 to Portland Bill, the X52 and X50 services to Bridport and Swanage (can't remember which one is which).
Plus sometimes the open-top buses end up on routes like the 4 to Preston, 12 to Littlesea Holiday Park (which has already happened this year) and X54 in the summer.

 

[KHCT]

The open top service in Cleethorpes does accept ENCTS passes as it's classed as a normal passenger service, although it's main customer base is people staying at the caravan park at one end of the route.
By contrast, the Scarborough seafront open top services don't accept passes, but do have a reduced fare available for pass holders. These Scarborough services are absolutely tourist routes.

 

[kijeta]

If it is a normal local service bus that operates all year around that happens to be open top during the summer months then ENCTS is more likely to be valid.

Thanks for the observation! Now that you mention it, I do notice a pattern between ENCTS acceptance and operating all year round.

I have used my pass on the route 1/2 (St Ives to Penzance via Lands End) service more than once.

I don't think 1/2 operate with open-top vehicles anymore, unfortunately


I guess the real way to find out is if I happen to end up in an open-top bus area, I'll just try it out and, if the validity is different to what we've concluded here, report back.

 

[Thames99]

Are there places where only locally issued ENCTS passes are accepted? This would mean that locals with passes can travel free, but tourists and visitors from further afield would have to pay.

 

[stadler]

Are there places where only locally issued ENCTS passes are accepted? This would mean that locals with passes can travel free, but tourists and visitors from further afield would have to pay.

I doubt any exist. The only place i have heard of that is on most of our trams which only accept local ENCTS passes. I have never heard of an open top bus accepting local ENCTS passes but not others. I doubt the council would allow that.

 

[geoffk]

Morebus 40/ 50 Purbeck Breezer buses certainly accept ENCTS passes, apart from the usual exception for services before 09.30.

When I visited Swanage in October 2024, the 40 and 50 services were the ONLY buses serving Swanage so pass holders living there rely on them entirely, except in the summer season when other routes operate, e.g. to Weymouth. There was no sign of a town service. My trip on the 50 service had an open-topper going into Bournemouth and a closed top bus coming back.