49,371 eligible disabled people in Tyne and Wear and across England will get free bus travel all day, every day, all over the country after the Prime Minister announced today (Tuesday 18 August) that the government will lift time restrictions on concessionary passes.
From 1 April 2027, people who hold a disabled bus pass can travel on buses for free, no matter the time of day. This extra support will help to open up access to workplaces, education, training, and other opportunities as well as giving people breathing space on the cost of living and putting money back in people’s pockets.
Currently, disabled bus passes are only valid for travel between 9.30am and 11pm during weekdays, unless local authorities choose to fund an extension. For example, Greater Manchester Combined Authority permanently lifted the time restrictions from March this year.
Backed by £60 million of funding, the Government is now stepping in to remove these time restrictions across the whole of England, so that from next year, disabled bus pass holders can always travel for free on the most popular form of public transport, regardless of their postcode.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:
“Buses are a lifeline for so many people – making it easier to get to work, education and healthcare. It’s simply not right that many disabled people cannot travel using their pass during certain times of the day. So we’re fixing that. Disabled people will now have unlimited free bus travel 24/7.
“I did it before in Greater Manchester and I’m proud to do it now for the whole country. This is part of our ongoing action to bring back hope and give people some much needed breathing space on the cost of living.”
Leader of Newcastle Labour Group, Cllr Ged Bell said,
“This is great news for disabled people in Newcastle. This means all over the country, all day, every day, they will be able to travel for free. Andy Burnham’s new government is doing absolutely everything it can to help local people with the cost of living- and there’s more to come in the months ahead.”
A lack of affordable transport can be a major practical barrier to entering the workplace, and so this move will also help support disabled people who are able to work to take up jobs by removing an extra pressure.
This new support comes alongside the government’s ongoing work to reform the welfare system, so people can get into work where they can. This includes a £3.5 billion investment in tailored employment support to help disabled people and people with health conditions to fulfil their full potential and stay in or return to work.