Overview

• The Department for Transport confirmed that from April next year people in England will wait an extra year for a free bus pass as eligibility moves with the State Pension age increase to 67 between 2026 and 2028.
• Under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme, free off‑peak bus travel applies to people at State Pension age and those with qualifying disabilities, typically 9:30am to 11pm on weekdays and all day at weekends and bank holidays.
• A Parliament petition to extend free bus travel to everyone over 60 in England has surpassed 100,000 signatures and is awaiting a date for debate.
• A new petition calls for mandatory free companion passes for carers of disabled people; ministers say no assessment has been made and highlight that councils may offer companion passes at their discretion.
• The government says the concessionary scheme costs about £700 million a year and notes a £1 billion bus funding package, including £712 million for local authorities that can be used to finance discretionary concessions.