Around 30,000 disabled people in Liverpool could benefit from unrestricted free bus travel at any time of day under new government plans. The changes are expected to come into force from April 2027 and would remove the current weekday restrictions on disabled people's bus passes.
At present, free travel is generally restricted on weekdays, with passholders unable to use their passes before 9.30am. The proposed changes would mean disabled bus passholders in England could travel for free at any time of day, seven days a week.
Government Funding and Impact
The government says the move will give disabled people greater freedom to travel to work, education, healthcare and to see family and friends. It is backed by £60m of government funding and will apply across England, including Liverpool, where an estimated 30,000 disabled people could benefit.
Bridget Phillipson, Minister for Women and Equalities, said disabled people should be able to access work, healthcare and social activities without facing barriers based on where they live. She said: "It is vital that disabled people are able to access work, healthcare, and socialising on their own terms instead of facing an unfair postcode lottery. That is why we have listened to disabled people and their communities and expanded free bus travel. By making travelling accessible to all, we are unlocking employment opportunities, bringing people together and building a more inclusive society."
Support from Disability Representatives
The plans have also been welcomed by disability representatives in the North West. Ali Gunn, chair of the North West Regional Stakeholder Network, said the announcement would be welcomed by disabled people across the region. She said: "Access to affordable transport is not a luxury. Members of the North West Regional Stakeholder Network have consistently highlighted the importance of removing the affordability and accessibility barriers that disabled people experience." She added that the change would help more people access "work, education and their communities".
Broader Government Programme
The government says the need for accessible and affordable public transport is particularly important for disabled people who do not have access to a car. Figures from the Department for Transport's National Travel Survey show that in 2024, 30% of disabled adults lived in households without access to a car, compared with 14% of non-disabled adults.
The removal of restrictions on disabled bus passes is being described as part of a wider government programme aimed at tackling barriers faced by disabled people. Other measures include funding to increase the number of registered interpreters for deaf and blind people, while the government says the number of British Sign Language translations of government communications increased by 41% across departments over the last year. The government is also employing an additional 500 staff to tackle backlogs in the Access to Work scheme, representing a 72% increase. Work is also underway on a UK government Plan for Disability, which is expected to set out longer-term plans for supporting disabled people and improving opportunities.
