A campaign to try to press the government to bring in free bus passes for the over 60s in England has passed a key threshold. A petition on the parliament website is now three quarters of the way to securing a debate on the issue, which people have complained is unfair on those living in England.
In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland all people get free passes at 60 – but in England it’s only mandatory at 66 with local councils being told they have to fund it themselves. This means coverage is very patchy with only areas like Merseyside and London providing the service.
This morning the petition, which can be seen here, passed 75,000 signups meaning it is very close to securing the debate when the Department for Transport will have to put its case to MPs. Already a number of written questions have been submitted on the issue, with ministers replying, and suggesting there is funding in place which could be used if local councils use it.
The petition, created by Karen Hickman says: “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.”
Only last week an MP submitted a question on the issue – and got a reply which explained how one funding source was already available. In a new question Liberal Democrat MP Pippa Heylings asked the Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander: “if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the eligibility criteria for an older person’s bus pass to include people over the age of 60 in England.”
Simon Lightwood Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport yesterday (June 10) said: “The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (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, would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability.
“However, local authorities in England have the power to offer concessions in addition to their statutory obligations, such as lowering the age of eligibility. Additional local concessions are provided and funded by local authorities from local resources.
“The government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority have been allocated £10.5 million of this funding. 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 England the over 66s can get concessionary travel which allows them to travel:
- between 9:30am and 11pm, Monday to Friday
- all day at weekends
- on public holidays
To view the petition, sign up, and read the full DfT response click here.
