The reform will apply across England and remove differences between areas where councils currently offer varying levels of additional support. According to the Department for Transport and the Department for Work and Pensions, the change will be backed by \u00a360 million from existing departmental budgets, with \u00a340 million provided by the DWP and \u00a320 million by the DfT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The funding has no fixed end date, government sources told The Guardian, while ministers have described the policy as an ongoing commitment rather than a temporary measure. The seven-month period before implementation is intended to allow the change to pass through Parliament and give local transport authorities time to prepare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Greater Manchester already introduced a similar arrangement in March<\/strong>, when time restrictions on disabled concessionary passes were permanently removed from the Bee Network. Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who introduced the policy while serving as mayor of Greater Manchester, said the national change would mean disabled passengers could use local bus <\/a>services free of charge \u201c24\/7\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBuses are a lifeline for so many people \u2013 making it easier to get to work, education and healthcare<\/em>,\u201d Burnham said. \u201cIt\u2019s simply not right that many disabled people cannot travel using their pass during certain times of the day<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the BBC, about one million people could benefit from the nationwide change. Disabled passes can already be used throughout the day at weekends and on bank holidays, while some local authorities also allow unrestricted weekday travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Disability organisations and transport campaigners welcomed the removal of the time limits, arguing that the current rules can restrict people who need to travel before 9.30am for employment, education or medical appointments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n James Taylor,<\/a> executive director of strategy, impact and social change at Scope, said disabled people face additional everyday costs and that round-the-clock free travel would \u201cput money back in people\u2019s pockets and remove barriers to everyday life<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/08\/Burnhams-60m-bus-pass-reform-brings-247-free-travel-to-disabled-people-across-England-\u00a9-Shutterstock-1200x727.jpg\")
Campaigners Say the Change Removes Barriers to Work and Daily Life<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n