A campaign to give free bus travel to people over the age of 60 in England is gathering pace as two MPs got answers from the Department of Transport on the issue. A petition on the Parliament website has now got more than 41,000 signatures, meaning it is almost half way to securing a debate in the Commons.
People are complaining that in England people have to wait until they are 66 for a free bus pass – whereas in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland they get it at 66. Local authorities do have the power to fund passes but only a few such as Merseyside and Transport for London do – and with councils facing serious financial difficulties this is unlikely to end.
Nottingham Reform MP Lee Anderson asked Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander “if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending free bus travel to all people over 60 years old in England, outside of London.”
Liberal Democrat Helen Maguire also asked Ms Alexander: “What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of enabling people over 60 to travel for free on public transport in England.” The questioned were answered by Simon Lightwood Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department of Transport, who said it was in the hands of local authorities: “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, such as lowering the age of eligibility, would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability.
“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. Surrey County Council has been allocated £12 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 the local area.”
Karen Hickman posted the petiton on the Parliament website and said: “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.”
The petition has already garnered 41,332 signatures, and if it reaches 100,000, it could potentially be debated in Parliament. To add your signature , click here.