Andy Burnham has confirmed that disabled bus pass holders in England will no longer face restrictions on the times they can travel for free. The announcement was made on Tuesday, 18 August, by the Labour Party government Prime Minister, marking a significant change to the current concessionary travel scheme.
Under the new rules, all disabled people eligible for a bus pass in England will be able to travel free of charge on buses at any time of day from April. This removes the previous time-of-day travel limitations, offering greater freedom and convenience for disabled passengers.
To support this initiative, Mr Burnham has allocated £60 million in funding drawn from existing budgets within the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department for Transport (DfT). This sum comprises a £40 million contribution from the DWP and a £20 million contribution from the DfT.
READ MORE: New School Attendance Rules Introduced from 1 September with Fines for Parents
READ MORE: Birmingham City Centre Road Closed Amid Incident, Buses Diverted
Eligibility for disabled person’s bus passes is defined by the Transport Act 2000, which outlines seven statutory categories of disability. Local authorities are responsible for administering the scheme and assessing applications according to these statutory criteria.
The government emphasises that this policy change is part of a broader commitment to deliver better, affordable, and more reliable bus services. Other measures recently introduced include the £2 bus fare cap, free bus travel for children during the summer, and empowering local leaders with greater control over bus services.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander highlighted that the reform will eliminate the postcode lottery that has resulted in inconsistent levels of support for disabled people across different areas.
Ministers expect the removal of time restrictions on concessionary passes will not only alleviate financial pressures amid the cost of living crisis but also assist disabled individuals in accessing employment, education, and training opportunities.
This announcement follows the government’s earlier confirmation of the £2 bus fare cap, reinforcing the clear policy direction since Mr Burnham’s tenure began in Number 10 Downing Street.