Free 24/7 Bus Travel Scheme Announced for Eligible Disabled Passengers Across England
Free 24/7 Bus Travel Scheme Announced
The government has announced a nationwide scheme to lift time restrictions on concessionary bus passes for eligible disabled people.
From 1 April 2027, pass holders across England will be able to travel for free at any time of day, 7 days a week, removing the current off-peak rules and ending what ministers described as a regional “postcode lottery.”
Key Details of the Scheme
24/7 Unlimited Access: Currently, standard disabled bus passes in England are only valid for free travel between 9:30 am and 11:00 pm on weekdays, unless a local council funds an exemption. The new rule ensures free travel around the clock every day.
Implementation Date: The change comes into force on 1 April 2027.
Funding: Supported by £60 million in government funding (combining £40 million from the Department for Work and Pensions and £20 million from the Department for Transport).
Eligibility: Criteria remain tied to the statutory categories under the Transport Act 2000 (administered by local authorities), covering individuals who are blind, deaf, unable to walk, have a learning disability, or are medically unfit to drive.
Breaking Down Barriers to Work and Daily Life
The move aims to provide financial relief against cost-of-living pressures while removing practical barriers for disabled individuals commuting to early morning work, education, training, or medical appointments.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham highlighted the core focus of the change:
“Buses are a lifeline for so many people – making it easier to get to work, education and healthcare. It’s simply not right that many disabled people cannot travel using their pass during certain times of the day. So we’re fixing that. Disabled people will now have unlimited free bus travel 24/7.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander added:
“We’re putting an end to this postcode lottery, so disabled people can travel on buses for free whenever they need, wherever they live – unlocking opportunities and access to jobs, learning, and more.”
Charities and transport advocacy groups have welcomed the reform. Representatives from Mencap, Scope, and Bus Users UK noted that disabled people do not live “off-peak lives,” pointing out that round-the-clock free access offers genuine independence, dignity, and crucial support during ongoing cost-of-living challenges.
Broader Support for Bus Users
The 24/7 travel update forms part of a wider series of public transport initiatives, alongside the nationwide £2 bus fare cap maintained through 2027 and broader reforms giving local authorities greater power to manage regional bus networks.
For pass holders, local councils will continue to handle applications and issue standard concessionary passes under existing criteria ahead of the nationwide rollout in April 2027.
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