Overview
- The Department for Transport confirmed that from April next year people in England will wait an extra year for a free bus pass, reflecting the staged rise in the State Pension age from 66 to 67 by 2028.
- Under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme, free local bus travel is off‑peak only, typically from 9.30am on weekdays, though councils can fund earlier travel or lower eligibility locally.
- The government has set aside more than £1 billion for buses in 2025/26, including £712 million for local authorities and £243 million for operators, which councils may use to enhance concessions.
- Ministers note the scheme costs around £700 million annually and say any statutory expansion of eligibility or hours must be assessed for financial sustainability.
- A Commons move to scrap the 9.30am weekday restriction was recently defeated by 300 votes to 69, leaving changes to be decided locally.