The free bus pass age in England has changed from June, following the increase in the state pension age by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The Department for Transport has confirmed that eligibility for the older person's bus pass under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme is now linked to the state pension age.
Key Changes to Eligibility
In a statement, the Department for Transport 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 statement continued: "People born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961 will qualify at 66 plus a specified number of months, depending on their date of birth. 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."
Detailed Timetable for Those Born Between 1960 and 1961
The DWP is publicising the change with particular emphasis on those born between 1960 and 1961. The state pension age will be 66 plus a specified number of months, depending on the date of birth. The timetable is as follows:
- Born between 6 April 1960 and 5 May 1960: state pension age at 66 years and 1 month.
- Born between 6 May 1960 and 5 June 1960: state pension age at 66 years and 2 months.
- Born between 6 June 1960 and 5 July 1960: state pension age at 66 years and 3 months.
- Born between 6 July 1960 and 5 August 1960: state pension age at 66 years and 4 months.
- Born between 6 August 1960 and 5 September 1960: state pension age at 66 years and 5 months.
- Born between 6 September 1960 and 5 October 1960: state pension age at 66 years and 6 months.
- Born between 6 October 1960 and 5 November 1960: state pension age at 66 years and 7 months.
- Born between 6 November 1960 and 5 December 1960: state pension age at 66 years and 8 months.
- Born between 6 December 1960 and 5 January 1961: state pension age at 66 years and 9 months.
- Born between 6 January 1961 and 5 February 1961: state pension age at 66 years and 10 months.
- Born between 6 February 1961 and 5 March 1961: state pension age at 66 years and 11 months.
- Born between 6 March 1961 and 5 April 1977: state pension age at 67 years.
This change means millions of passengers in England will need to wait longer before they can access free bus travel. The government advises all affected individuals to check their specific eligibility date using the online tool on the GOV.UK website.
