The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that disabled bus pass holders in England will be able to travel for free at all hours from April 2027. The change, announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, will be funded by £40 million from the DWP and an additional £20 million from the Department for Transport.
Currently, disabled bus passes are valid only on weekdays from 9.30am to 11pm, unless local authorities fund an extension. This restriction has been a long-standing issue for disabled people who need to travel outside these hours.
Government confirms funding for 24-hour travel
Speaking on Tuesday, Burnham, the MP for Makerfield, said it was “simply not right that many disabled people cannot travel using their pass during certain times of the day”. The move is part of a broader policy blitz by the new Prime Minister, which has included cutting business rates for pubs, capping bus fares at £2, and scrapping VAT from electricity bills.
The announcement comes on the same day data showed wage growth in the UK slowed in June, as workers face a renewed cost of living squeeze amid the economic impact from the Iran war.
Political reaction to the announcement
Liberal Democrats MP Tom Gordon, who represents Harrogate and Knaresborough, welcomed the news, saying: “Disabilities don’t start at 9 o’clock, neither should disabled bus passes and soon enough they won’t. This is a huge win for the disabled community.” Gordon has been campaigning for changes in recent years.
However, a Conservative Party spokesperson criticised the funding approach, stating: “This is simply the shuffling around of existing departmental budgets. Andy Burnham needs to come clean about how he is going to fund this growing list of policies.”
The DWP’s £40 million allocation is part of a wider government effort to improve accessibility and reduce transport barriers for disabled people. The additional £20 million from the Department for Transport will support the implementation of the extended travel hours across England.
Impact on disabled travellers
From April 2027, disabled bus pass holders will be able to use their passes at any time of day, including weekends and bank holidays, without needing local authority top-ups. This is expected to significantly improve independence and access to employment, healthcare, and social activities for disabled individuals.
The government has not yet outlined how the policy will be administered, but it is likely to involve updating the national bus pass scheme. Local authorities will need to adjust their systems to accommodate the new hours.
Burnham’s announcement is the latest in a series of cost-of-living measures since he took office. The Prime Minister has promised to continue addressing financial pressures on households, with further policies expected in the coming months.
