Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged that from April 2027, disabled people can travel for free when they want and need to, removing current limitations that prevent free travel before 9.30am and after 11pm. The change has been celebrated by many disability rights advocates.
The local disability rights group Difference North East welcomed the news, stating that the change helps to remove a barrier to work, education, healthcare and everyday life by allowing disabled people to use their passes whenever they need to travel.
Campaign for equal access
Difference North East prioritised the removal of restrictions on bus travel after listening to disabled individuals express the importance of equal access. Many members particularly emphasised the negative effects of being unable to travel for free before 9.30am on weekdays in areas where these restrictions are enforced.
One member of Difference North East shared their perspective: “It’s not just about being able to use the pass early, it’s about the message it sends to disabled people when you recognise that we have places to be on a morning too.”
Currently, the times during which disabled individuals can use their concessionary bus passes for free travel differ throughout the North East. The upcoming national change will eliminate this inconsistency, ensuring a uniform entitlement across England.
80,000 local holders affected
Freedom of Information responses obtained by Difference North East revealed that there are more than 80,000 disabled concessionary bus pass holders in the region. This change means that these 80,000 local residents will no longer have to worry about travel restrictions.
Dr Christopher Hartworth, Director of Difference North East, said: “This is very good news for disabled people across the North East and throughout England. Disabled people need to travel to work, education, healthcare and other everyday commitments at the same times as everyone else. A concessionary bus pass that cannot be used when someone needs to travel does not provide equal access to public transport.
“When Andy Burnham became Prime Minister, we wrote to him about this the very next day. As Mayor of Greater Manchester, he had already shown that these unnecessary restrictions could be removed. We asked him to champion the same change for the North East, and we are delighted that the Government has now committed the funding needed to make it happen across England. This decision will remove barriers, end an unfair postcode lottery and give disabled people fair and equal access to bus travel whenever they need it.”
Political support and funding
The announcement was also welcomed by Mary Kelly Foy, MP for the City of Durham. She said: “As a long-standing supporter of Difference North East’s campaign, I’m delighted that the Government is removing time restrictions on disabled people’s bus passes across England. For disabled people in Durham, this means they will no longer have to pay to travel by bus before 9.30 am. This simple and fair change will ensure disabled people in Durham and across England have fair and equal access to bus travel whenever they need it.”
The Government is providing £60 million to introduce the change, which is due to come into effect on 1 April 2027.
