Silver Pass
What the Silver Pass is
The Silver Pass is a travel pass for people aged 70 and over who live in Tokyo. It is valid across Toei transit, which includes Toei buses, the Toei Subway, the Tokyo Sakura Tram (Toden Arakawa Line) and the Nippori-Toneri Liner, and also on the routes of the private bus companies operating within Tokyo. Buses that charge special fares, such as highway buses and airport shuttle buses, are not covered.
Instead of paying a fare every time you ride, you pay a set contribution to buy the pass, and it is renewed on a cycle running from October 1 each year to September 30 of the following year. The amount of the contribution is set according to categories such as income bracket and is revised from time to time, so check the exact figures and how to apply in the official guide to the Tokyo Metropolitan Silver Pass.
What changes once you hold one
The greatest value of the Silver Pass lies in being freed from counting out money every time you board. Since you can ride without thinking about the fare, the barrier drops for casual outings, not only shopping and hospital visits but also trips of the "the weather is lovely, let's go one stop along to the park" variety. Transfers and roundabout journeys can also be chosen without worrying about the cost, which makes it easier to do things like picking a quieter run so you can settle into a seat.
On Toei buses, the basic way to use it is to show the pass to the crew as you board. The form of the pass and the way it is handled on board can change, so check the finer points in the official guide. Either way, with no need to fish coins out of a purse, boarding goes more smoothly, which is reassuring for anyone unsteady on their feet.
How it differs from a one-day pass
A ticket that feels similar in use is the one-day pass, but the two are quite different in character. A one-day pass is a ticket anyone can buy that is valid for that single day, whereas the Silver Pass is restricted to eligible holders but can be used throughout its period of validity. For anyone who meets the age requirement, the Silver Pass is the default choice as long as they use buses regularly, and the one-day pass can be filed away as the option for days out with family or friends who do not hold a pass.
Ways of riding that help older passengers travel with confidence are covered in detail in our article on riding the bus for older passengers.