Government responds to calls for free bus travel for over 60s in England

Campaigners pushing for a reduction in the age at which people receive free bus passes in England to 60 have received an update from a government minister. Currently, the concession is automatically granted to people in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In England, however, it's up to financially stretched local councils to provide the benefit earlier, resulting in only a handful of areas like London and Merseyside offering it.

Liberal Democrat Josh Babarinde raised the issue in Parliament with a written question to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, asking: "whether she plans to lower the age of free bus travel eligibility to 60 in (a) Eastbourne and (b) England."

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The Department for Transport has now replied this week, with minister Simon Lightwood indicating that while councils have recently been given funds, they could potentially use them for this purpose.

He explained: "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. East Sussex County Council have been allocated £10.3 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."

A petition demanding free bus travel for all over-60s in England outside London has garnered more than 100,000 signatures on the Parliament website, triggering a debate in which the Department for Transport (DfT) will have to defend its position, reports Lancs Live.

The campaign states: "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 full response from the Department for Transport to the petition can be viewed here.