Disabled bus pass holders across England will be able to travel for free at any time of day from 1 April 2027, after the government announced it will lift time restrictions on concessionary passes. The change, announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, is part of a wider cost of living push that also includes a £2 cap on bus fares.
What the change means
Currently, disabled bus passes are only valid for travel between 9.30am and 11pm on weekdays, unless local authorities choose to fund an extension. For example, Greater Manchester Combined Authority permanently lifted the time restrictions from March this year.
The government is now stepping in to remove time restrictions across the whole of England, backed by £60 million of funding, so that from next year, disabled pass holders can always travel for free on buses, regardless of their postcode.
Eligible conditions
Bus passes are run at a local level in each travel authority. Conditions which may qualify for a disabled bus pass in South Yorkshire, for example, include:
- Blind or partially sighted
- Profoundly or severely deaf
- Without speech or have a severe speech impairment
- Disability or injury causing a substantial, long-term adverse effect on your ability to walk
- Do not have arms or have long-term loss of use of both arms
- Severe learning disability involving significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning
- Medically unfit to drive, meaning your application for a driving licence would be refused on medical grounds (excluding drug or alcohol misuse)
Official 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. Disabled people will now have unlimited free bus travel 24/7.
“I did it before in Greater Manchester and I’m proud to do it now for the whole country. This is part of our ongoing action to bring back hope and give people some much needed breathing space on the cost of living.”
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.”
