Passengers with disabilities in Birmingham and across the West Midlands have warmly welcomed a new plan to expand bus pass usage times, describing it as a long-overdue improvement and an important step towards true equality in public transport.
The Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, joined West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker in Wolverhampton this week to announce changes that will allow disabled bus pass holders to travel at any time, day or night. Previously, these passes could only be used after 9.30am on weekdays and at any time during weekends. These new provisions will take effect from 1 April next year.
While the announcement was warmly received by disabled passengers, they emphasised to Mr Burnham and Mayor Parker that this change must not be seen as a standalone fix but part of a broader commitment to making public transport genuinely accessible and welcoming.
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Nabila Gardner, a business owner from Birmingham living with a disability, shared her personal experience. She said she had been a frequent user of public transport until her health condition worsened, leading to a greater reliance on private cars. She expressed support for the new policy but suggested it could be extended to better support carers-both paid and unpaid-who often travel with disabled people.
“We are not always alone when using public transport; carers and family members frequently accompany us,” Gardner explained. “The current scheme is a fantastic idea, but it could be improved to be more inclusive.”
Alexandra Davis, a wheelchair user who is deaf and shares accessibility content online under the name ‘mywheeliegreatlife’, welcomed the announcement. She remarked, “It feels as though the government is recognising that disabled people need freedom beyond fixed time slots. Being disabled already requires so much planning; not worrying about bus travel times is one less stress.”
However, Davis acknowledged that many disabled people remain anxious about the complexities of public transport systems and ticketing, leading them to avoid using buses altogether. She appreciated the opportunity to discuss these issues directly with the Prime Minister and Mayor, who treated disabled people as everyday citizens deserving of equal consideration.
Pamela Johnson from Midland Mencap, an organisation supporting those with learning disabilities, highlighted that while extending bus pass hours is positive, significant barriers remain. “Many people with learning disabilities choose not to use buses because physical accessibility issues and concerns about anti-social behaviour make travel difficult or unsafe,” she said. Johnson also noted that some drivers fail to allow enough time for disabled passengers to board safely and that limited space for wheelchairs and buggies can result in missed buses.
She commended the willingness of the Prime Minister and Mayor to listen and offered hope for ongoing dialogue. Mayor Parker has kindly offered to meet with Midland Mencap and disabled bus users to discuss these challenges further.
Taz Marshall, who is sight impaired, called the extended pass hours a “lifesaver,” allowing her greater independence and social engagement. As a shift worker starting early mornings, the previous 9.30am restriction had been limiting.
Her friend Meena Rattu, who experiences dual sensory loss, expressed joy at the announcement and meeting Mr Burnham, describing him as empathetic and enthusiastic about future improvements.
The meeting was organised by Dr Mark Fosbrook, West Midlands Combined Authority’s first disability inclusion manager, who aims to make the region a model for disability accessibility. He described the lifting of bus pass restrictions as “a huge move” forward.
Disabled bus passes in the region are available to individuals with an eligible long-term disability of at least twelve months and those aged over five. Applicants must provide proof of disability when applying.
For more information, individuals can apply for a disabled person’s bus pass through the official channels.