Five groups of people in England will face a higher free bus pass age from November, as eligibility changes in line with the State Pension age increase from 66 to 67.
The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme links older person's bus pass eligibility to State Pension age. As the State Pension age rises from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028, the age requirement for a free bus pass increases at the same time, reports The Express.
Who Is Affected by the Change
Those turning 66 are set to face a wait of up to several months longer, depending on their exact date of birth. In England, people born from April 6, 1960 onwards are due to be impacted. The transition from 66 to 67 will be fully complete by 2028.
People born between April 6, 1960 and March 5, 1961 will qualify at 66 plus a specified number of months, depending on their date of birth. A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "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."
Five Groups Impacted This November
The five groups of people set to be impacted this November include:
- People born between November 6, 1960 and December 5, 1960, who will receive their state pension and their free bus pass age at 66 years and eight months.
- People born between December 6, 1960 and January 5, 1961 who will receive theirs at 66 years and nine months.
- People born between January 6, 1961 and February 5, 1961 who will qualify upon reaching 66 years and 10 months.
- People born between February 6, 1961 and March 5, 1961, who will receive theirs at 66 years and 11 months.
- People born between March 6, 1961 and April 5, 1977, who will be 67 by the time they qualify.
There is a tool to check the date people become eligible for a bus pass, found at the 'check your State Pension age' section of the Government website by entering a date of birth.
Exceptions in Other Regions
Those living in London can bypass the national rule by applying for a 60+ London Oyster photocard, which grants free travel within London from the age of 60. In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, eligibility is entirely separate from the State Pension age, and residents there will automatically qualify for a free regional bus pass when they turn 60.
