The Department for Transport has responded to calls to massively expand the free concessionary bus pass system in the UK. Calls have been increasing for people to get free passes at the age of 60 in England – as travellers already enjoy in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Travellers in England were handed a second blow last week when officials from the DfT confirmed that people will wait even longer from 2026 – because when the state pension age rises to 67, so will the concessionary bus pass.
Only people in certain parts of England currently get the pass at 60 where local authorities such as London and Merseyside fund it – everywhere else they get it at the same time as the state pension.
In a new parliamentary written question, Independent MP Neil Duncan-Jordan asked the Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander, “what assessment she has made of the potential merits of providing free bus travel to under 22 year olds.”
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport Simon Lightwood today issued a reply – and said that many local operators already offer discounts for the young – and that other funding was available if authorities decide to use it this way.
He said: “The Government knows how important affordable and reliable bus services are in enabling people to get to education, work and access vital services.
“On 1 January, we introduced a £3 cap on single bus fares in England outside London to help passengers continue to access cheaper bus services and better opportunities. At the Spending Review announced the cap would be extended until March 2027.
“At present, the majority of bus services operate on a commercial basis by private operators, and any decisions regarding the level at which fares are set outside the scope of the £3 bus fare cap are commercial decisions for operators.
“Bus operators can choose to offer discounted fares for young people, and in the year ending March 2025, youth discounts were offered by at least one commercial bus operator in 73 out of 85 local authority areas in England outside London.
“As part of the Autumn 2024 Budget, the Government allocated £955 million to support and improve bus services in 25/26. This includes £712 million for local authorities, this can be used to expand services and improve reliability, which are currently massive obstacles for too many people. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council has been allocated £6 million of this funding.
“Funding allocated to local authorities to deliver better bus services can be used in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, which could include introducing new fares initiatives to reduce the cost of bus travel for young people.”
The DfT has confirmed that from next April people will have to wait another year in England to get their free pass.
The State Pension age is set to start its increase from 66 to 67 next year, with the rise expected to be fully in place for all men and women across the UK by 2028. This planned adjustment to the official retirement age has been on the books since 2014, with a further increase from 67 to 68 slated to occur between 2044 and 2046.
The Pensions Act 2014 brought forward the increase in the State Pension age from 66 to 67 by eight years. The UK Government also tweaked the phasing of the State Pension age increase, meaning that instead of reaching State Pension age on a specific date, individuals born between 6 March 1961, and 5 April 1977, will be eligible to claim the State Pension once they turn 67 – and the same will apply to their concessionary bus passes.
A DfT spokesperson said: ““We fully recognise bus passes are vital to many older people, providing access to essential services and keeping people connected through free local travel.