From next year, people in England will have to wait longer to get their free bus pass – and this week the DfT issued an update on time limits
Free bus pass qualification age will be raised for all pensioners next year (Image: izusek via Getty Images)
The Department for Transport has confirmed that from April next year, individuals in England will have to wait an additional year to receive their free bus pass. Despite a substantial campaign pushing for the same concessionary travel benefits as those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – where free bus travel is available from the age of 60 – in England, complimentary travel is only granted from the age of 66, aligning with the state pension age.
This is unless local authorities, such as those in London and Merseyside, opt to fund the provision themselves. From next year, the waiting period for a free pass in England will extend by another 12 months.
This change corresponds with the planned increase in the State Pension age from 66 to 67, set to be fully implemented across the UK by 2028 for both men and women.
This modification to the official retirement age has been in the pipeline since 2014, with a further increase from 67 to 68 expected between 2044 and 2046.
The Pensions Act 2014 fast-tracked the increase in the State Pension age from 66 to 67 by eight years. The UK Government also adjusted the phasing of the State Pension age increase, meaning that instead of reaching State Pension age on a specific date, individuals born between 6 March 1961, and 5 April 1977, will be eligible to claim the State Pension once they turn 67 – and the same will apply to their concessionary bus passes.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed that concessionary bus passes will also be impacted. A spokesperson said: “We fully recognise bus passes are vital to many older people, providing access to essential services and keeping people connected through free local travel. We’re already in the process of making ambitious reforms to improve bus services for all passengers and supporting local areas to improve reliability and affordability.”
The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme provides free off-peak bus travel to those with qualifying disabilities and individuals who have reached state pension age (under the Pension Act 2014), operating from 9.30am to 11.00pm on weekdays and throughout weekends and Bank Holidays.
State Pension age is scheduled to increase from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028, as set out in the State Pension Act 2014. The DfT added: “Local authorities in England have the power to offer concessions in addition to their statutory obligations, for example, by lowering the age of eligibility. These are additional local concessions provided and funded by local authorities from local resources, depending on the needs and priorities of each area.”
Individuals qualify for free bus travel in England upon reaching the state pension age, presently set at 66 but scheduled to rise from next year.
A substantial petition on the Parliament website, calling for free bus travel for those aged over 60 in England, has attracted more than 100,000 signatures and is now awaiting a date for parliamentary debate.
This development could potentially place pressure on the Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, to consider amendments. The petition, available here, declares: “We call on the Government to extend free bus travel to all people over 60 years old in England outside London. We believe the current situation is unjust and we want equality for everyone over 60.
“Currently, people in England who do not live in London are not entitled to free bus travel until they reach the state pension age, which we believe has changed dramatically. As people get older some over 60s drive less and less, therefore we believe we need equality on public transport. It would mean England had the same provision as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.”
In its response to the petition, the Department for Transport (DfT) indicated that funding had been distributed to local authorities, which could be utilised to provide free travel from age 60. The DfT stated: “The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme costs around £700 million annually. Any changes to the statutory scheme must be carefully considered for their impact on its financial sustainability.”
The government this week responded to calls allowing free bus pass holders to travel before 9.30am, stating that local authorities have the power to make the change happen.
In a statement, ministers confirmed: “At the Budget on 30 October, the government confirmed a £1 billion boost for buses, of which £712 million has been allocated to local authorities to support and improve bus services. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services for passengers can be used in whichever way they wish. This could include extending the discretionary concessions available in the local area.”
Officials added: “Concessionary travel is a devolved policy area and as such, the eligibility age for the bus pass differs between the devolved nations of the United Kingdom. This means, in effect, that there are different schemes in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so the administrative arrangements are entirely separate.”
Should councils implement such a change, anyone holding a concessionary bus pass, including state pensioners in England, would gain the ability to travel at earlier times. In England, concessionary bus passes are available to eligible older and disabled individuals, providing free local bus travel throughout the country under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS).
Eligibility for older individuals is determined by reaching the state pension age, and disabled individuals can also qualify if they meet certain criteria. However, currently, these passes can only be used after the morning rush hour of 9.30am, a restriction that has been criticised for excluding the disabled and elderly from employment opportunities and early appointments.
Liberal Democrat Josh Babarinde posed a question to the Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, asking: “If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing bus pass use on weekdays before 9:30 am.”
In response, Simon Lightwood, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Transport, stated that funds were available for councils to extend these concessionary rights – if they chose to allocate the money in this manner. He wrote: “The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age. Local authorities in England have the power to use local resources to fund further concessions in addition to their statutory obligations, for example, extending the times travel passes can be used.
“The Government has confirmed over £1 billion for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. East Sussex County Council has been allocated £10.4 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services for passengers can be used in whichever way they wish, including enhancing the concessionary travel offering in the local area.”
