Disabled bus pass rules to change: free travel at all times across England

What is changing

The government has announced that time restrictions on the disabled person's bus pass in England will be removed, giving free travel at any time of day. Currently, the pass is valid only on weekdays between 9:30am and 11pm, and at any time at weekends and on bank holidays, unless a council funds a wider extension. The stated aim is to ease cost-of-living pressure and to recognise that disability, and the need to travel, does not fit the 9:30am rule. The change is due to start next year across England.

At present, the disabled concessionary pass is valid only on weekdays between 9:30am and 11pm, and at any time at weekends and on bank holidays, unless a council funds a wider extension. The change will remove the weekday time restriction, allowing passholders to travel for free at any time of day, seven days a week.

The government has said the change is intended to ease cost-of-living pressure and to recognise that disability, and the need to travel, does not fit the 9:30am rule. The change is due to start next year across England.

How it is being funded

The move is backed by 60 million pounds, drawn from existing budgets rather than new money. Of that, 40 million pounds comes from the Department for Work and Pensions and 20 million pounds from the Department for Transport. Funding routed to local transport authorities is how the English concessionary scheme is normally paid for, since councils administer passes. Because the money comes from existing budgets, the detail of how it is distributed to local authorities will matter for delivery.

The funding is split between two government departments. The Department for Work and Pensions will provide 40 million pounds, and the Department for Transport will provide 20 million pounds. Both amounts come from existing departmental budgets, not from new money allocated for this purpose.

In England, the concessionary travel scheme is administered by local councils, which issue passes and reimburse bus operators. Funding is normally routed to local transport authorities to cover the cost of the scheme. The distribution of the 60 million pounds to local authorities will determine how smoothly the change is delivered in practice.

Who qualifies for a disabled bus pass

Eligibility for the disabled person's pass is based on defined disability criteria, not age; the categories are set out on GOV.UK and applied by your local council. Typical qualifying categories include people who are blind or partially sighted, profoundly or severely deaf, without speech, or who have a disability affecting walking, among others. You apply through your local council, which issues the pass; criteria and any local extensions vary between areas. The older person's pass is separate and available from state pension age.

The disabled person's bus pass is available to people who meet specific eligibility criteria set out in law. These criteria are published on GOV.UK and are applied by local councils when processing applications. Qualifying categories include people who are blind or partially sighted, profoundly or severely deaf, without speech, or who have a disability affecting walking. Other categories may also apply.

To obtain a pass, you must apply through your local council, which will assess your application against the criteria. The pass is not based on age, unlike the older person's bus pass, which is available from state pension age. Local councils may also offer extensions to the standard scheme, so the exact terms of a pass can vary between areas.

The Greater Manchester precedent

Greater Manchester permanently lifted the 9:30am restriction for older and disabled passholders on Bee Network buses from March 2026, after trials in 2025. During those trials around 400,000 older and disabled people were able to use passes 24 hours a day rather than waiting until 9:30am. The Bee Network is Greater Manchester's franchised system, which also froze fares and kept a 2 pound single fare. The national change effectively extends that model to the rest of England.

Greater Manchester has already implemented a similar change. The 9:30am restriction was permanently lifted for older and disabled passholders on Bee Network buses from March 2026, following trials earlier in 2025. During those trials, around 400,000 older and disabled people were able to use their passes 24 hours a day rather than waiting until 9:30am.

The Bee Network is Greater Manchester's franchised bus system, which also froze fares and kept a 2 pound single fare. The national change announced by the government effectively extends the Greater Manchester model to the rest of England.

What it means in practice and the wider picture

For eligible passholders, medical appointments, early shifts and school runs before 9:30am become free by bus where they were previously paid. Existing passes should not need reissuing simply because of the time change, though passholders should follow their council's guidance. Concessionary travel is devolved: Scotland, Wales and London run their own schemes with different age and eligibility rules, so this England change does not automatically apply there. This is one of several cost-of-living measures announced recently; check GOV.UK and your local transport authority for the confirmed start date in your area.

For eligible passholders, the practical effect is that journeys made before 9:30am on weekdays will become free, where they previously required a fare. This includes travel to medical appointments, early shifts and school runs. Passholders will not need to have their existing passes reissued simply because of the time change, but they should follow any guidance issued by their local council.

Concessionary travel is a devolved matter. Scotland, Wales and London operate their own schemes with different age and eligibility rules. The change announced for England does not automatically apply in those areas.

The announcement is one of several cost-of-living measures made recently by the government. Passholders should check GOV.UK and their local transport authority for the confirmed start date in their area.

Frequently asked questions

What is changing with the disabled bus pass?

Time restrictions in England are to be removed, giving free travel at all times instead of only weekdays 9:30am to 11pm. The change is backed by 60 million pounds and due to start next year.

Who qualifies for a disabled bus pass?

Eligibility is based on defined disability criteria, not age, and is applied by your local council. Categories include being blind or partially sighted, profoundly deaf, or having a disability affecting walking, among others.

Does this apply in Scotland and Wales?

No. Concessionary travel is devolved. Scotland, Wales and London run their own schemes with their own rules, so this England change does not automatically apply there.

Do I need a new pass?

A pass should not need reissuing simply because of the time-restriction change, but follow your local council's guidance and check the confirmed start date for your area.

When does the change start?

The government says it is due to start next year across England. Check GOV.UK and your local transport authority for the confirmed date.