A Ticket to Ride

Eligible disabled people in England will be able to travel on buses for free all day, every day, when time restrictions on concessionary passes are lifted in April 2027...

The move is seen by the government as helping to open up access to workplaces, education, training, and other opportunities as well as giving people breathing space on the cost of living and putting money back in people’s pockets.

Backed by £60 million of funding, the time restrictions are to be lifted next year so that disabled bus pass holders in England can always travel for free on the most popular form of public transport, regardless of their postcode.

“Buses are a lifeline for so many people - making it easier to get to work, education and healthcare,” said Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

“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.”

Freedom 24/7

Currently, disabled bus passes are only valid for travel between 9.30am and 11pm during weekdays, unless local authorities choose to fund an extension. 

“Disabled people don’t live off-peak lives,” said Lydia Horbury, CEO, Bus Users UK.

“Lifting these restrictions nationwide replaces an arbitrary postcode lottery with genuine freedom, independence and dignity. It will help more disabled people access work, reduce isolation, support bus use and reduce unnecessary car dependency.

This is about much more than a bus pass. It is about removing a barrier to opportunity and making our transport network work for everyone.

Eligibility for a disabled person’s bus pass is set out in the Transport Act 2000, which defines seven statutory categories of disability.

These include people who are:

• blind or partially sighted;

• profoundly or severely deaf;

• without speech;

• unable or virtually unable to walk because of a disability;

• without arms, or unable to use both arms;

• people with a learning disability; and

• people who would be refused a driving licence on medical grounds (other than because of drug or alcohol misuse).