The Department for Transport has confirmed that the age at which people can claim a free bus pass in England will rise in line with the State Pension age. The change will affect those born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961, who will see a longer wait to access both the State Pension and the associated benefits, including free travel.
Who Will Be Affected
People born within this transition period will reach their State Pension age at 66 plus a number of months, depending on their exact date of birth. The Department for Transport confirmed that eligibility for an older person’s bus pass under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme is directly linked to the State Pension age.
This means individuals who expected to receive a bus pass at 66 may now have to wait several additional months. The change comes as part of a broader government plan to gradually increase the State Pension age from 66 to 67 for people born on or after 6 March 1961, starting in 2026.
How to Check Your Eligibility
To help people understand the new rules, the government provides an online tool to check the date when you become eligible for a bus pass. By visiting Check your State Pension age – GOV.UK and entering your date of birth, individuals can determine when they can claim both their State Pension and their free bus pass.
For those born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961, eligibility will fall between 6 May 2026 and 5 March 2028, depending on the number of additional months added to their 66th birthday.
Applying for Your State Pension
It is important to note that the State Pension is not paid automatically. Individuals will receive an invitation to apply about four months before reaching their State Pension age, sent by The Pension Service. Once the pension is claimed, eligibility for the free bus pass will follow in line with the revised rules.
Implications for Older Travelers
The rise in eligibility age means that some older residents may have to wait longer for free public transport, which has been a valuable benefit for pensioners across England. The government emphasizes that the change is designed to reflect increases in life expectancy and the broader plan to align pension and public service benefits with these demographic shifts.
For affected residents, checking the online tool and planning ahead for both the State Pension and bus pass can help mitigate any disruptions caused by the transition.
