In a major breakthrough MPs are set to go head to head over proposals to give free bus passes to everyone in England over the age of 60. A campaign has smashed through a key barrier this morning meaning that it will be debated in Parliament.
Support has surged for the plans which are calling for the Department for Transport to extend a benefit enjoyed by travellers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to English people over the age of 60. Currently people in England are given free concessionary travel passes at the age of 66.
In England it is down to cash-strapped local authorities to pay for the service, whereas in Scotland, Wales and NI the devolved governments have decided to fund it directly. This means that the concessionary passes for those over 60 are only available in a few areas such as Merseyside and London – with everyone else having to wait another six years.
Today a petition on the parliament website has pushed through 100,000 signups meaning it will now be debated by MPs meaning the DfT will have to defend its position and lay out what, if anything may change. 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.”
MPs have asked a succession of written questions to Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander on the issue – and earlier this month Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport Simon Lightwood, responding to a Parliamentary written question, said a recent funding decision did mean councils did have the power to use a grant to fund the free travel for over 60s if they decide to.
He wrote in an answer on the subject to Liberal Democrat MP Pippa Heylings:“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. 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.”
When the petition passed 10,000 signatures it prompted a Department for Transport response which said: “Concessionary travel is a devolved policy area and as such, the eligibility age for the bus pass differs between the devolved nations of the United Kingdom. This means, in effect, that there are different schemes in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so the administrative arrangements are entirely separate.”
The petition, together with the full response from the Department for Transport can be viewed here.
