A new campaign is advocating for a change in the way bus passes are handled for pensioners across the UK. With growing support, a petition calling for universal free bus travel for all over-60s is gaining momentum.
The petition urges for free bus passes to be recognised and valid across all regions of the UK, ensuring equal access for senior citizens, regardless of where they live.
This initiative adds to ongoing calls for broader rights for elderly travellers, focusing on equity and ease of travel for those living near the UK’s borders. It highlights significant disparities between regions and calls for a government response.
Calls for National Standardisation of Bus Passes
Currently, people in England over the age of 60 do not automatically qualify for free bus travel. In contrast, those in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland benefit from free bus passes from the age of 60.
In England, the concessionary bus pass is only available once an individual reaches the state pension age of 66, unless local authorities provide additional funding. This has led to growing frustration among pensioners, particularly those living near the borders with Wales and Scotland, where bus services frequently cross national lines.
The petition, started by Hillary Shaw, is pushing for a uniform system that allows older people to use their bus passes across the UK. According to Shaw, “I think it would be easier and fairer if the bus pass covered the whole journey, and return, on all of these services.”
The petition has already gathered significant support, with nearly 60,000 signatures backing the cause for free bus travel to be extended to all people over 60 in England.
Financial Considerations and Government Response
The Department for Transport (DfT) has responded to the calls, acknowledging the financial challenges of expanding eligibility for free bus passes. According to the DfT, the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS), which provides free off-peak bus travel for eligible pensioners and disabled individuals, costs around £700 million annually.
Any changes to the statutory eligibility would need careful consideration due to its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability. Simon Lightwood, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the DfT, noted that local authorities have the power to offer additional concessions, but funding must come from local resources.
He further mentioned that new funding is being allocated for bus transport outside London, which could potentially allow local councils to extend additional benefits, including free travel for those over 60.
This comes amidst ongoing debates about the fairness of the current system, with some calling for equal access to free travel as seen in other parts of the UK.
