Free bus passes in England update amid huge demands to expand eligibility
People of state pension age and those with certain health conditions can get a bus pass in England
The Government has responded to demands for the free bus pass scheme to be widened. Those who have reached state pension age and people with certain health conditions can obtain a bus pass for free travel across England.
But the scheme is only valid from 9.30am to 11pm on weekdays, and throughout the day at weekends and on bank holidays. Campaigners have pushed for these hours to be extended.
A petition from North Yorkshire residents was submitted to the Government arguing that "restricting the use of disabled persons' bus passes during peak hours is unfair and places additional barriers on disabled people, who already face significant structural and societal inequalities, including higher living costs and limited transport options".
The campaigners urged the Government to permit disabled people to use the bus pass at any time of day, including during peak hours. Transport minister Simon Lightwood has now delivered a response from the Government.
He said: "The duration of the concessionary period was set out in the Transport Act 2000. The ENCTS [English national concessionary travel scheme] costs around £700million annually and any changes to the statutory obligations, including extending the hours of use, would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme's financial sustainability.
"Therefore, the Government do not have any current plans to remove the time restriction." However, he also mentioned that local authorities in England have the power to extend the bus pass rules so people can use it beyond the statutory hours.
He highlighted some areas where this has been implemented, saying: "According to concessionary travel statistics for the year ending March 2025, approximately 78 percent of local authorities extended the beginning of the statutory time period (9.30 am) during weekdays, including, for example, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough combined authority area, where concessionary passholders can travel for free on local bus services at all hours.
"Furthermore, during August, Greater Manchester combined authority ran a trial allowing ENCTS pass holders to travel on buses before 9.30 am. They are planning another trial in November where ENCTS passes will be valid at all times of day. Various similar schemes also exist in other parts of the country."
A separate petition has been launched to Parliament, calling for an extension of the bus pass scheme so that carers of disabled individuals can also travel for free. The plea states: "In our view, disabled people who rely on carers are not travelling for free if they have to pay for their carers.
"We want carers of disabled people who have a bus pass for free travel, to have free carer bus passes too." If the petition garners 10,000 signatures, there will be a response from the Government. Should it reach the milestone of 100,000 supporters, the matter will be considered for a debate in Parliament.