Free bus pass eligibility for state pensioners in England will change from October 6, 2026, following a law change linked to the State Pension age increase from 66 to 67. The age rise, which began on April 6, 2026, is being phased in over two years and will be completed in 2028, affecting anyone born after April 6, 1960.
Older adults who turn 66 during the transitional period will not officially reach State Pension age until they are 66 plus a specified number of months, depending on their birthday. This delay affects when they can claim their State Pension and also impacts eligibility for other State Pension age-related benefits, including a free bus pass in England.
October phase and waiting times
The Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed to The Express that eligibility for a free bus pass is changing in line with the State Pension age increase. The next phase, now underway this month, affects anyone born between October 6, 1960, and November 5, 1960.
According to the DWP timetable, pensioners due to turn 66 between these dates face an extra seven-month wait before they can claim their State Pension and, in turn, their free bus pass. For example, someone born on October 6, 1960, will become eligible for both on May 6, 2026, when they are exactly 66 years and seven months old.
Official statement and eligibility tool
A DfT spokesperson told The Express: “Eligibility for an older person’s bus pass under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme is linked to State Pension age. This means eligibility will change in line with the increase in State Pension age from April.”
“People born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961 will qualify at 66 plus a specified number of months, depending on their date of birth. There is a tool to check the date people become eligible for a bus pass at Check your State Pension age - GOV.UK, by entering their date of birth.”
Phased timetable and London options
State Pension eligibility becomes further delayed the later in the year a person’s 66th birthday falls, increasing by one month each time. Those turning 66 in the month from November 6 face an extra eight-month wait, while those turning 66 in the month from December 6 face an extra nine-month wait, and so on until the age rise to 67 is complete. Anyone with a birthday after March 5, 1961, will be eligible for a free bus pass in England from age 67.
The DWP confirmed the following timetable for the increase in State Pension age from 66 to 67, showing when people with birthdays between April 6, 1960, and March 5, 1961 can claim their State Pension and free bus pass in England: April 6, 1960 – May 5, 1960: 66 years and 1 month; May 6, 1960 – June 5, 1960: 66 years and 2 months; June 6, 1960 – July 5, 1960: 66 years and 3 months; July 6, 1960 – August 5, 1960: 66 years and 4 months; August 6, 1960 – September 5, 1960: 66 years and 5 months; September 6, 1960 – October 5, 1960: 66 years and 6 months; October 6, 1960 – November 5, 1960: 66 years and 7 months; November 6, 1960 – December 5, 1960: 66 years and 8 months; December 6, 1960 – January 5, 1961: 66 years and 9 months; January 6, 1961 – February 5, 1961: 66 years and 10 months; February 6, 1961 – March 5, 1961: 66 years and 11 months; March 6, 1961 – April 5, 1977: 67 years.
The DWP said: "The Pensions Act 2014 brought the increase in the State Pension age from 66 to 67 forward by eight years. The State Pension age for men and women will now increase to 67 between 2026 and 2028."
"The Government also changed the way in which the increase in State Pension age is phased so that rather than reaching State Pension age on a specific date, people born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961 will reach their State Pension age at 66 years and the specified number of months." For people born after 5 April 1969 but before 6 April 1977, under the Pensions Act 2007, State Pension age was already 67.
For those living in a London borough, a 60+ London Oyster photocard allows free travel on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground and most National Rail lines in the capital. It carries a £36 administration fee to set up, plus an £18.50 annual address eligibility check fee to keep it active. Once a person reaches State Pension age, they can switch to the free Older Person’s Freedom Pass.
