Transport Minister Simon Lightwood has said that local councils in England “do have the power” to lower the age threshold for the older persons’ bus pass
Local councils in England “do have the power” to lower the age threshold for the older persons’ bus pass, the UK Government has confirmed. But lowering the age would “need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability.”
Surrey Heath representative MP Dr Al Pinkerton had queried whether an evaluation had been conducted on the “potential merits of extending free bus pass eligibility to people aged over 60,” in a written response, the Daily Record reports.
Given that concessionary travel falls under devolved jurisdiction, the qualifying age for complimentary bus journeys varies across Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. While Scots aged 60-plus enjoy this benefit, those residing in England typically receive it upon reaching State Pension age.
However, in the written response, Transport Minister Simon Lightwood, explained that “local authorities in England have the power to offer concessions in addition to their statutory obligations, such as lowering the age of eligibility”.
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It comes after a petition online calling for bus passengers in England to be given the same financial benefits as those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland received more than 100,000 signatures.
Mr Lightwood said: “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.
“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.”
He also said that the UK Government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025/26 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London.
This includes £243m for bus operators and £712m allocated to local authorities across the country.
He added: “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.”
More than 101,200 people signed the online petition supporting calls for changes to be made to the ENCTS and bring it into line with the same service provided by the Scottish Government.
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Petition creator Karen Hickman argues the current scheme is “unjust” and calls for “equality for everyone over 60”. The campaigner explained people in England, living outside London, are not entitled to free bus travel until they reach State Pension age – 66 for both men and women – which she believes has “changed dramatically.”
The ‘extend free bus travel for people over 60 in England’ petition 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.”