Disabled people to get free bus travel around the clock in England
The government has announced that eligible disabled people in England will be able to use their concessionary bus passes at any hour of the day or night, removing existing time restrictions.
Eligible disabled people in England are set to travel by bus free of charge at any time of day or night, after the government confirmed it will remove the time restrictions currently placed on concessionary passes. The announcement was made by the Prime Minister on Tuesday 18 August as part of a broader package of measures aimed at easing the cost of living.
At present, concessionary pass holders in England can only use their free bus travel from a set time in the morning, which means early-morning journeys — to hospital appointments, care shifts or work — can still come at a cost. Once the restriction is lifted, those passes will be valid around the clock, every day of the week, removing that barrier entirely.
The Department for Transport confirmed the change, though full implementation details and a firm start date are yet to be set out. Disabled people who already hold a concessionary pass should not need to apply for a new one, though it is worth checking with your local council as they administer the scheme in your area.
Sources
This story cites Department for Transport announcements.