An estimated 13,000 disabled people in Newcastle could benefit from free bus travel at any time of day from April 2027. The change follows this week's announcement of alterations to disabled bus passes, which has been met with widespread praise.
Currently, weekday restrictions limit bus pass use to between 09:30 and 23:00, creating significant hurdles for those with early commutes or late-night travel. The move will ensure passholders have full, unrestricted access every day, not just on weekends and bank holidays.
Unlocking opportunities
This extra travel support can unlock opportunities for disabled people by giving them greater freedom to travel for work, education, healthcare, and family life. The scheme, backed by £60 million of government funding, will remove these restrictions across all of England.
Bridget Phillipson MP, Minister for Women and Equalities, and MP for Houghton and Sunderland South, 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.”
She added: “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 regional network
Elspeth McPherson, Chair of the North East Regional Stakeholder Network, said: “This is one of what we hope will be many transformative initiatives to enable disabled adults to lead independent, active and working lives.”
She continued: “The past exclusion of bus pass use across peak commuting hours compounded the many barriers disabled adults face to enter or remain in work. The announcement is much welcome and we look forward to the wider work of the Timms Review to greater enable disabled adults to live inclusive and fulfilling lives with appropriate support to mitigate any disadvantage arising from disability.”
Wider impact
Buses are the most popular and commonly used form of public transport across England, and the need for better access is particularly clear for people without a car. The Department for Transport’s National Travel Survey found that, in 2024, 30% of disabled adults lived in households without access to a car, compared to 14% of non-disabled adults.
Removing restrictions for disabled bus pass holders is part of the government’s broader commitment to breaking down barriers to opportunity and putting the views and voices of disabled people at the heart of everything it does.
