Calls are growing for more people to get concessionary bus travel in England – to bring it into line with Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
A key update has been given by the government on free bus travel in the UK. Pressure has been mounting for individuals to receive free passes at age 60 in England – a benefit already enjoyed by passengers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
And in new Parliamentary question, Labour’s Ian Byrne has asked for the scheme to be further extended to anyone under the age of 22. He asked Heidi Alexander MP · Secretary of State for Transport “whether HER Department plans to introduce free bus travel for people under the age of 22; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of transport costs on young people’s access to education, training, and employment.”
English travellers faced further disappointment when DfT officials confirmed last month that people will have to wait even longer from 2026 – as the concessionary bus pass age will rise to 67 alongside the state pension age. Currently, only residents in specific English regions receive their pass at 60, where local councils such as those in London and Merseyside provide funding – elsewhere, people must wait until state pension age.
Answering the issue on the under 22s to be considered for free passes, Simon Lightwood Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Transport said it was down to local authorities to decided if they want to fund more concessions. He said: “The Government knows how important affordable and reliable bus services are in enabling people to get to education, work and access vital services. On 1 January, we introduced a £3 cap on single bus fares in England outside London to help passengers continue to access cheaper bus services and better opportunities. At the Spending Review we announced the cap would be extended until March 2027.
“At present, the majority of bus services operate on a commercial basis by private operators, and any decisions regarding the level at which fares are set outside the scope of the £3 bus fare cap are commercial decisions for operators. Bus operators can choose to offer discounted fares for young people, and in the year ending March 2025, youth discounts were offered by at least one commercial bus operator in 73 out of 85 local authority areas in England outside London.
“As part of the Autumn 2024 Budget, the Government allocated over £1 billion to support and improve bus services in 25/26 and make fares more affordable. This includes £712 million for local authorities, this can be used to expand services and improve reliability, which are currently massive obstacles for too many people. Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has been allocated £20.8 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to deliver better bus services can be used in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, which could include introducing new fares initiatives to reduce the cost of bus travel for young people.”
A petition on the Parliament website calling for free bus travel to be given to all people over 60 in England has reached 100,000 signatures – meaning it should secure a debate with MPs – but it has currently been waiting 123 days for this to be confirmed. To view the petiton click here.
The DfT has confirmed that from next April people will have to wait another year in England to get their free pass. The State Pension age in the UK is due to begin its rise from 66 to 67 next year, with the increase expected to be fully implemented for all men and women across the nation by 2028.
This planned change to the official retirement age has been in the pipeline since 2014, with a further increase from 67 to 68 scheduled to take place between 2044 and 2046.
The Pensions Act 2014 accelerated 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.
A spokesperson for the Department for Transport (DfT) stated: “We fully recognise bus passes are vital to many older people, providing access to essential services and keeping people connected through free local travel.”
