The Department for Transport has confirmed the age change from next year.
Free bus travel in England coincides with the state pension age (Image: Getty)
People in England will have to wait an extra year to get their free bus pass from next April. The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed the move despite a significant campaign.
Campaigners are advocating for the same concessionary travel benefits as those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. While free bus travel is available from the age of 60 in these countries, those in England have to wait until the state pension age which is set to increase from 66 to 67 next April. It will then increase further to 68 between 2044 and 2046.
The Pensions Act 2014 accelerated the State Pension age, and the Government also adjusted the phasing of the increase. This means that people born between March 6, 1961, and April 5, 1977, will be eligible to claim the state pension once they turn 67, with the same applying to their concessionary bus passes, according to the DfT.
The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme offers free off-peak bus journeys to people with qualifying disabilities and those who have reached state pension age. The journeys can be used between 9.30am and 11pm on weekdays, weekends and Bank Holidays.
Local authorities, such as in London and Merseyside, can choose to fund free bus passes themselves. They can also opt to lower the age of eligibility in their area.
However, a major petition on the Parliament website calling for free bus travel for over-60s in England has over 100,000 signatures. This could put pressure on Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to consider changes.
The petition states: “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.
People in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland get free bus travel from the age of 60 (Image: Getty)
“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 response to the petition, the DfT said: “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.
“At the Budget on October 30, 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.
“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.”
