The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed that starting in April 2026, individuals in England will need to wait until they are 67 to receive a free bus pass. This change, which aligns with the government’s increase in the State Pension age, has sparked a debate about the fairness of transport provisions across the UK. Currently, free bus travel is available to those aged 60 or older in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, while English residents must wait until they reach pension age.
This move has not gone unnoticed. Many people are now questioning the sustainability of the current system and whether extending the free bus pass eligibility to those over 60, like in other regions, is a feasible solution. With funding concerns already at the forefront of government policy, the future of free bus travel in England is looking increasingly uncertain.
A National Discrepancy in Transport Access
In England, the free bus pass system is based on the State Pension age, which is currently set at 66, but is set to rise to 67 from 2026, and to 68 in the coming decades. This has created a significant discrepancy in eligibility for public transport benefits when compared to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, where people aged 60 and above can travel for free.
According to the DfT, this disparity is primarily due to financial constraints. The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme costs around £700 million annually, and any changes to the statutory scheme must be carefully evaluated to ensure financial sustainability. Local authorities in England can opt to introduce discretionary concessions, but the funding for these is limited. As such, there has been no uniform push to lower the eligibility age across the country.
This inconsistency has led to calls for equal treatment of people aged 60 and over across all regions of the UK, with more than 100,000 people signing a petition urging for the extension of free bus travel in England. Campaigners argue that as people live longer and some over-60s stop driving, public transport should be more accessible, regardless of postcode.
The Financial Strain and Policy Dilemma
The rising State Pension age is not only impacting bus pass eligibility but also placing pressure on government finances. With an annual cost of £700 million for the current scheme, any adjustment or expansion of benefits would require additional funding. The government has allocated £712 million to local authorities as part of a £1 billion boost for bus services, but this funding is discretionary, meaning it may not be used to lower the age for eligibility.
The concern lies in whether the government can sustain these changes without further burdening taxpayers. According to the DfT, any shift to include all over-60s in England would require careful consideration of its financial implications, as it could threaten the long-term viability of the bus scheme.
While the idea of extending free bus travel to those over 60 is gaining traction, especially in light of growing inequalities, the financial sustainability of such a move remains a complex issue. As the debate continues, local authorities will likely play a pivotal role in shaping the future of bus services across the country.
