Burnham scraps restrictions on disabled people’s bus passes in England

Disabled individuals across England will soon benefit from unrestricted free bus travel, with the removal of current weekday time restrictions set to take effect next April. This significant policy expansion, championed by Andy Burnham, builds upon a successful initiative he previously implemented as the mayor of Greater Manchester. The change means that eligible disabled bus pass holders will be able to travel free on local bus services at any hour of the day or night.

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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.

The government is backing the initiative with substantial funding, allocating £60 million for its implementation. This amount comprises £40 million from the Department for Work and Pensions and £20 million from the Department for Transport. Government sources have indicated that this funding is not a one-off payment and has no set end date, providing a stable financial basis for the policy. The seven-month transition period before the April start date allows local transport authorities ample time to prepare for the nationwide rollout.

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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.

Burnham, currently on a summer tour focusing on the cost of living, emphasized the importance of accessible public transport. "Buses are a lifeline for so many people – making it easier to get to work, education and healthcare," he stated. "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." He expressed pride in extending the policy nationwide, calling it part of ongoing efforts to "bring back hope and give people some much needed breathing space on the cost of living."

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Disabled people face extra costs every day and many need to travel in the morning for work, education and healthcare. Making free bus travel available around the clock is a welcome step that will put money back in people’s pockets and remove barriers to everyday life.

Ministers believe the move will not only alleviate the cost of living pressures for disabled people but also help them access work, education, and training opportunities. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander highlighted that the change will end the "postcode lottery" of varying support levels for disabled people depending on their location. This measure is part of broader government plans to make bus travel more affordable, including maintaining the £2 fare cap throughout 2027 and offering free bus travel for under-16s this summer. Charities like Mencap and Scope have welcomed the announcement, noting it will put money back into people's pockets and remove barriers to everyday life.

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Disabled people don’t live off-peak lives. Lifting these restrictions nationwide replaces an arbitrary postcode lottery with genuine freedom, ind