The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed that the age at which people become eligible for a free bus pass will rise in line with the State Pension age in September. This change follows the Pensions Act 2014, which accelerated the increase in the State Pension age from 66 to 67 by eight years.
Under the revised timetable, individuals born between 6 March 1961 and 5 April 1977 will be able to claim the State Pension once they turn 67, and the same applies to their concessionary bus passes. The DfT has confirmed that concessionary bus passes will be affected by this adjustment.
Who is affected by the bus pass age change?
People born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961 will qualify for a bus pass at age 66 plus a specified number of months, depending on their exact date of birth. Those born between 6 March 1961 and 5 April 1977 will qualify at age 67.
The DWP has published a detailed timetable for the increase in State Pension age from 66 to 67. For example, those born between 6 September 1960 and 5 October 1960 become eligible at 66 years and 6 months. The required age rises by one month for each subsequent birth month, culminating in those born from 6 March 1961 onwards reaching eligibility at 67.
Official statement and how to check your eligibility
A DfT spokesperson said: "Eligibility for an older person's bus pass under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme is linked to State Pension age. This means eligibility will change in line with the increase in State Pension age from April."
The spokesperson added: "There is a tool to check the date people become eligible for a bus pass at Check your State Pension age - GOV.UK, by entering their date of birth."
Another DfT spokesperson said: "We fully recognise bus passes are vital to many older people, providing access to essential services and keeping people connected through free local travel. We're already in the process of making ambitious reforms to improve bus services for all passengers and supporting local areas to improve reliability and affordability."
Full timetable for State Pension age increase
The DWP has confirmed the following schedule for the increase in State Pension age from 66 to 67:
- 6 September 1960 – 5 October 1960: 66 years and 6 months
- 6 October 1960 – 5 November 1960: 66 years and 7 months
- 6 November 1960 – 5 December 1960: 66 years and 8 months
- 6 December 1960 – 5 January 1961: 66 years and 9 months
- 6 January 1961 – 5 February 1961: 66 years and 10 months
- 6 February 1961 – 5 March 1961: 66 years and 11 months
- 6 March 1961 – 5 April 1977: 67 years
This change means that anyone born after 6 March 1961 will need to wait until their 67th birthday to receive a free bus pass, rather than at 66. The DfT has advised that people check their individual eligibility date using the online tool on GOV.UK.
