DfT gives free bus es for over 60s England update and makes £955m funding suggestion

A growing campaign says people in England should get the concessionary travel those in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland get

The government has said that £955 million of funding which is being distributed to local authorities can be used to lower the age people in England get bus es to 60. A growing campaign has been pushing for people in England to get the concessionary travel at the same time as those in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

A petition Transport (DfT) to lay out its position.

In a new written answer to a parliamentary question the DfT has said that a recent funding award to councils around the country could be used directly for this concessionary bus for the over 6t0s. The devolved governments in Wales, Scotland and NI have decided to fund the es for over 60s.

In England it is down to local authorities which are currently dealing with serious cashflow issues. It is only available in a limited number of areas such as Merseyside and London. In a new question Liberal Democrat MP Pippa Heylings asked the Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander: “if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the eligibility criteria for an older person’s bus to include people over the age of 60 in England.”

Simon Lightwood Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport yesterday (June 10) said: “The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age, currently sixty-six. The ENCTS costs around £700 million annually and any changes to the statutory obligations, would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability.

“However, local authorities in England have the power to offer concessions in addition to their statutory obligations, such as lowering the age of eligibility. Additional local concessions are provided and funded by local authorities from local resources.

“The government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority have been allocated £10.5 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services for engers can be used in whichever way they wish. This could include extending the discretionary concessions available.”

The petition says it is unfair that people in England don’t get the same benefit as those in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It was created by Karen Hickman and says: “We call on the Government to extend free bus travel to all people over 60 years old in England outside London. We believe the current situation is unjust and we want equality for everyone over 60.

“Currently, people in England who do not live in London are not entitled to free bus travel until they reach the state pension age, which we believe has changed dramatically. As people get older some over 60s drive less and less, therefore we believe we need equality on public transport. It would mean England had the same provision as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.”

To view the petition, sign up, and read the full DfT response click here.