Disabled people in England will be able to use their concessionary bus passes for free travel at any time of the day under new rules announced by the UK Government. The change will remove existing weekday time restrictions across England from April 1, 2027, allowing eligible disabled people to travel for free before 9.30am and after 11pm.
Scheme expansion
The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme currently guarantees free bus travel between 9.30am and 11pm on weekdays and throughout weekends and Bank Holidays. Individual local authorities can choose to provide additional concessions outside those hours.
The UK Government said £60 million will be used to fund the nationwide extension, with £40 million coming from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and £20 million from the Department for Transport.
Government reaction
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “Buses are a lifeline for so many people - making it easier to get to work, education and healthcare. It’s simply not right that many disabled people cannot travel using their pass during certain times of the day. So we’re fixing that.”
The UK Government said removing the restrictions could particularly help disabled people travelling to work, education, training and healthcare.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “We’re putting an end to this postcode lottery, so disabled people can travel on buses for free whenever they need, wherever they live - unlocking opportunities and access to jobs, learning, and more. We are making this change because we’ve listened to disabled people, and we know the importance of buses to local communities. These passes are a lifeline for so many, helping them stay connected and get to work and appointments, and it’s only right they receive the same treatment, no matter their postcode.”
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “For too long, disabled people have held a free bus pass in their pocket that didn’t always get them to work. Now we’re changing that. By removing these time restrictions, we’re helping disabled people access jobs, training, and other opportunities at any time of the day. Alongside our £3.5 billion investment in tailored employment support, this change shows we’re serious about breaking down the barriers that have held disabled people back for too long.”
Eligibility and Scotland
The statutory eligibility rules for disabled concessionary bus passes in England include people who are blind or partially sighted, profoundly or severely deaf, without speech, unable or virtually unable to walk because of a disability, or unable to use both arms. People with a learning disability can also qualify, along with some people who would be refused a driving licence on medical grounds.
Local authorities are responsible for administering the English scheme and assessing applications against the statutory criteria.
The change does not affect people living in Scotland, where eligible disabled people can already use their National Entitlement Card for free travel at any time of day on almost all registered local and long-distance bus services. Transport Scotland states that the scheme allows an unlimited number of journeys and can also provide free travel for a companion where an eligible disabled person requires one.
People living in Scotland can qualify for disabled free bus travel through a number of routes, including receipt of certain disability benefits. These include Adult Disability Payment, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Pension Age Disability Payment, Child Disability Payment at qualifying rates, Disability Living Allowance at qualifying rates, and Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance at qualifying rates. People may also qualify through other criteria including sight impairment, profound or severe deafness, certain mental health conditions, learning disability, terminal illness or eligibility as an injured veteran.
The new rules announced by the UK Government will therefore bring the statutory concession available to disabled bus-pass holders in England closer to the all-day access already available in Scotland. The changes in England are due to take effect from April 1, 2027.
