Des Conway and Liz Silver, a couple from Nottingham, have criticised a council policy that replaced their disability bus passes with pensioner versions when they each turned 66, stripping them of free travel before 9.30am on weekdays.
Des, now 68, has neurological issues affecting his balance and ability to walk. He said he could not understand why his disability pass, which usually required renewal every five years, was issued with an expiry date less than six months away. He realised it coincided with his 66th birthday on April 6 – the date he reached state pension age.
Liz, now 69, who is visually impaired, moved to Nottingham in 1975 and got her disability pass in 1981. When she turned 66 in January 2023, she also lost her free bus travel privileges.
Council defends decade-old policy
Des wrote to Nottingham City Council asking it to reinstate the disability passes, calling the policy “discriminatory.” The council responded that it was not “in the position to make a change” to a policy that had been operating for a decade.
Councillor Angela Kandola, who was in charge of transport for the council at the time, said: “This reflects the fact that one of the main objectives of providing the pre-9.30am Mobility Pass Concession is to help people with the cost of their journey to work and educational establishments. This will generally be achieved by providing a pass for people under the age of 66. I acknowledge that this arrangement isn't perfect and it is something that could be reviewed in the future.”
That was nearly three years ago, and the policy has not been reviewed.
Campaigners point to national changes
Bus travel had been free 24/7 for disabled people in Nottingham city since 2008, before the Labour council in charge in 2018 scrapped it, blaming budget cuts. It was reinstated in February 2020 after a two-year campaign led by Des, but it only applied to disabled people under 66 – something neither Des nor Liz realised at the time.
The Department for Transport says there is no legal requirement for holders of a disabled person's bus pass to switch to an older person's pass when they reach State Pension age, and that people who continue to meet eligibility criteria may receive one at any age.
From April 2027, disabled bus pass holders nationwide will be able to travel free 24/7, after Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced he would scrap restrictions that meant the benefit only applied after 9.30am and before 11pm on weekdays.
But that benefit will not apply to Des and Liz, because Nottingham City Council replaced their cards automatically when they turned 66. Liz said: “It just seems so unjustified. Just, logically it just doesn't make sense when you think about it. It's just so ridiculously unfair. It's crazy and it's just, like, thoughtless.”
Review under new authority
Public transport in the East Midlands is now handled by the East Midlands Combined Authority, which took over responsibility from authorities like Nottingham City Council earlier this year. It is currently reviewing concessionary travel schemes in the region, with any changes expected to come into play next April.
An EMCCA spokesperson said: “We welcome the Government's announcement to extend travel times for disabled bus pass holders, bringing greater consistency for disabled people across the East Midlands. We recognise the concerns raised about concessionary travel arrangements and following the transfer of transport responsibilities from constituent councils, we will review the concessionary travel scheme over the coming months. This will include consideration of how arrangements can be brought together for 2027/28, including issues relating to time restrictions and eligibility.”
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Anyone who remains eligible for a disabled person's bus pass can continue to hold and use it, whatever their age, and there is no legal requirement to switch to an older person's bus pass. Disabled bus passes are a lifeline for many, which is why we have lifted time restrictions so it's free for people to travel all day, every day.”
Nottingham City Council was approached for comment.
