Free bus passes for over 60s update as new DfT response 'could include extending local concessions'

The government has issued an answer to an MP calling for free bus passes for all over 60s in England in a new update. Calls are growing for people to get the same as their counterparts in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland get. Currently in England people get free bus passes automatically at the age of 66, whereas the devolved governments have decided to fund the transport boost for people over 60, In England it is down to councils to find the money for the schemes, meaning only those in a few places such as London and Merseyside get the benefit.

A petition on the Parliament website has got 57,875 signatures - well more than half way to the 100,000 needed to secure a debate in the Commons which would put pressure on the Department for Transport to implement a scheme in England too. However in an update this week Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport) Simon Lightwood gave some hope to over 60s when he said that recently allocated funding to councils for transport could be used for this purpose. He was responding to Liberal Democrat Zöe Franklin who asked if Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander: “Plans to extend free bus passes for over 60s across England.



” Mr Lightwood replied: “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.

”# The petition on the Parliament website reads: “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 “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.” To view it and read the government’s response so far click here ..