A petition calling for all over-60s to be given free bus travel in England has passed the 100,000 signature mark and a Parliamentary debate is scheduled for January 5, 2025
A major milestone has been reached today in efforts to achieve parity in concessionary bus travel throughout England(Image: Klaus Vedfelt via Getty Images)
A major milestone has been reached today in efforts to achieve parity in concessionary bus travel throughout England, bringing it in line with provisions available to those living in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. A considerable petition hosted on the Parliament website is demanding that all people aged over 60 be afforded complimentary bus travel across England.
At present, such arrangements only exist in areas where local councils have chosen to finance the scheme, meaning only a handful of locations with adequate funding—such as Merseyside and London—offer this benefit. The petition surpassed the 100,000 signature threshold some months back, triggering a mandatory Parliamentary debate.
This compels the Government to outline its stance and justify its current policy, thereby intensifying pressure for reform. A date has now been confirmed for this critical debate, with MPs set to examine this pressing matter impacting millions of over-60s on 5 January.
The petition, accessible here, declares: “We call on the Government to extend free bus travel to all people over 60 years old in England outside London. We believe the current situation is unjust and we want equality for everyone over 60. Currently, people in England who do not live in London are not entitled to free bus travel until they reach the state pension age, which we believe has changed dramatically.
As people get older some over 60s drive less and less, therefore we believe we need equality on public transport. It would mean England had the same provision as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland”, reports the Manchester Evening News. Following the garnering of 10,000 signatures on the petition, the Department for Transport issued a statement acknowledging that such alterations would necessitate substantial financial investment.
The department stated: “The government is committed to ensuring everyone has access to public transport and is dedicated to enhancing services. We also recognise the crucial role of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) in supporting local bus travel, facilitating access to vital local services and aiding users in maintaining an active lifestyle whilst avoiding isolation.”
“The ENCTS provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age, currently sixty-six. The ENCTS costs around £700 million annually and any changes to the statutory obligations, such as lowering the age of eligibility, would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability.”
The department clarified that resources had been allocated to local authorities, enabling them to implement modifications to concessionary travel programmes at a regional level, should the council deem this a priority. The DfT stated: “Local authorities in England do have the power to offer concessions in addition to their statutory obligations, for example, by extending the age of eligibility for the older persons’ bus pass. These are additional local concessions provided and funded by local authorities from local resources, depending on the needs and priorities of each area.
“At the Budget on 30 October [2024], the government confirmed a £1 billion boost for buses, of which £712 million has been allocated to local authorities to support and improve bus services. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services for passengers can be used in whichever way they wish. This could include extending the discretionary concessions available in the local area.”
Regarding the disparity whereby residents of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland receive passes whilst those in England do not, the DfT explained: “Concessionary travel is a devolved policy area and as such, the eligibility age for the bus pass differs between the devolved nations of the United Kingdom. This means, in effect, that there are different schemes in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so the administrative arrangements are entirely separate.”
The Department for Transport has confirmed that from April next year, English residents will have to wait an additional year before they can claim their free bus pass. Despite a significant campaign for equal concessionary travel rights as those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – where free bus travel starts at 60 – England limits free travel to those aged 66 and over, in line with the state pension age.
This is unless local authorities, such as those in London and Merseyside, opt to fund the provision themselves. From next year, the waiting period for a free pass in England will extend by another 12 months.
This change corresponds with the planned increase in the State Pension age from 66 to 67, set to be fully implemented across the UK by 2028 for both men and women. This modification to the official retirement age has been in the pipeline since 2014, with a further increase from 67 to 68 expected between 2044 and 2046.
To view the petition and the government response, click here.