[12] The Open Rights Group accused the proposal of creating "a national ID system by the backdoor", despite the Scottish Government's opposition to the UK's previous identity cards scheme.
[14] The Scottish NEC allows those Scottish residents with certain disabilities or aged over 60 years old to access free travel within Scotland on nearly all local bus and scheduled long distance coach services (including the morning rush hour) but excluding premium fare night buses and City Sightseeing Buses.
[15] Entitlement for free bus travel with the NEC is dependent on being a Scottish resident, at least 5 years old, and meeting one of the following criteria: If the main cardholder meets any of the following criteria, they are also entitled to have a Companion travel with them, usually attracting the same discount as the main cardholder: To get a National Entitlement Card you must be: Until 31 January 2022, all Scottish residents aged 16–18 years old and full-time volunteers aged between 19 and 26 years old were able to get discounted bus and rail fares, via the Young Scot NEC.
[18] After 31 January 2022, all Scottish residents aged 5–21 years are able to travel on access free bus transport in Scotland using either the Young Scot NEC or the National Entitlement Card.
For example, the NEC issued to those residing in the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) area gives access to additional rail and Glasgow Subway concessions.
[29] Scottish National Entitlement Card issued for the purpose of concessionary travel (including a 60+, disabled or under 22s bus pass) can also be used as identification in UK General Elections.
Common uses include access to cashless catering in schools, a means of providing library or leisure membership, or discounted admissions on the basis of age or disability.