Overview

• The Department for Transport confirmed a £955 million package for bus services in England outside London for the 2025–26 financial year.
• Of the total, £712 million will be distributed to local authorities and £243 million to bus operators across the country.
• A petition with more than 63,000 signatures is urging ministers to lower the free off-peak bus travel age from 66 to 60.
• Simon Lightwood noted the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme costs about £700 million annually and any age reduction requires careful financial assessment.
• Local authorities already have the discretion to offer extra concessions, including cutting the eligibility age using their own resources.