The Department for Transport has confirmed a significant change to England's concessionary travel scheme that will affect millions of older residents. From April 2026, people in England will need to wait an extra year before qualifying for a free bus pass, with the eligibility age rising from 66 to 67.
Alignment with State Pension Age Changes
This adjustment directly corresponds with the scheduled increase in the State Pension age, which is legislated to rise from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028 under the Pensions Act 2014. The government has confirmed that concessionary travel eligibility will mirror this change, creating a direct link between pension entitlement and transport benefits.
This creates a notable disparity across the United Kingdom, as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all maintain free bus travel eligibility from age 60. Campaigners have repeatedly called for England to adopt this more generous approach, though some local authorities including London and Merseyside already fund their own schemes allowing earlier access.
Who Will Be Affected?
Under the revised timetable, individuals born between March 6, 1961 and April 5, 1977 will qualify for both their State Pension and concessionary bus pass at age 67. This represents a substantial cohort who will need to wait longer for this valuable transport benefit.
The current National Concessionary Travel Scheme in England provides free off-peak bus travel between 9.30am and 11pm on weekdays, with all-day travel available at weekends and on bank holidays for those who have reached State Pension age or qualify due to disability.
Parliamentary Debate and Campaigner Concerns
The issue received significant parliamentary attention in January following a petition calling for free bus travel from age 60 that attracted over 100,000 signatures. During the debate, Labour MP Tony Vaughan highlighted concerning statistics about financial insecurity among older people.
"There is a growing misperception that if someone is over 60 they are financially secure," Vaughan told MPs. "A report from Standard Life shows there are now a quarter of a million more people aged 60 to 64 in relative income poverty than there were in 2010."
Vaughan pointed to London's successful 60+ Oyster card scheme, which has approximately 383,000 active users and makes a positive difference to the 24% of Londoners in that age group who live in poverty.
Cross-Party Support for Lower Age
Independent MP Iqbal Mohamed argued that "people's access to free travel should not depend on where they live or how stretched their council's budget happens to be." He emphasised that "national problems require national solutions."
Labour MP Mohammad Yasin added substantial social benefits to the argument, stating that free bus travel for over-60s would not only provide financial relief but also help reduce social isolation, support access to healthcare and enable continued engagement in work, volunteering and community life.
Government Position on Affordability
Responding to the debate, Transport Minister Simon Lightwood defended the government's position, explaining that eligibility in England is set at State Pension age in law to ensure the scheme remains affordable.
"For many people in their early 60s, buses are a lifeline to work, caring, volunteering and staying active in their communities," Lightwood acknowledged. "However, changing the national statutory eligibility would carry substantial additional recurring costs."
The minister revealed that concessionary travel already costs approximately £795 million annually, with the government committing more than £3 billion over the next three years to support local bus services across England.
Local Authority Flexibility
A Department for Transport spokesperson clarified that local authorities retain the power to offer additional concessions beyond their statutory obligations, including lowering the age of eligibility if they fund such schemes themselves.
"Local authorities in England have the power to offer concessions in addition to their statutory obligations, for example by lowering the age of eligibility," the spokesperson explained. "These are funded locally depending on the needs and priorities of each area."
Looking to the Future
The current changes represent just one phase of planned State Pension age increases. A further rise from 67 to 68 is currently scheduled between 2044 and 2046, which would likely trigger corresponding adjustments to concessionary travel eligibility unless policy changes intervene.
From April 2026, the default position will require English residents to reach the new State Pension age of 67 before qualifying for a free bus pass, unless their local authority operates a separate scheme offering earlier access. This creates a postcode lottery element to concessionary travel that campaigners continue to challenge.
The Department for Transport spokesperson emphasised: "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 making ambitious reforms to improve bus services for all passengers and supporting local areas to improve reliability and affordability."
