Disabled people across England will be able to use buses free of charge at any time of the day from April 2027 under a new government policy.
The change, announced by the government, will remove the current weekday restrictions on disabled bus passes, which generally allow free travel between 9:30am and 11pm.
Pass holders can already use the service without time restrictions at weekends and on bank holidays.
The government estimates that about one million disabled people could benefit from the move, which is aimed at reducing living costs and making it easier for disabled people to work and participate in social activities.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said it was “simply not right that many disabled people cannot travel using their pass during certain times of the day”.
Burnham previously removed similar restrictions in Greater Manchester, allowing disabled pass holders to travel at any time on buses operating under the city’s Bee Network.
“I’m proud to do it now for the whole country,” he added.
The policy has received strong support from disability organisations.
Scope described the move as one that would “remove barriers to everyday life”, while Transport for All called it a “real win for disabled people” and “very welcome news”.
James Barber of Transport for All said the change could also help end the “confusing and unjust postcode lottery caused by different rules in different areas”.
Disability Rights UK also welcomed the announcement but said further work was required to ensure eligibility for disabled bus passes was applied consistently nationwide.
Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, described the policy as a “huge win for the disabled community” and the “culmination of two years of campaigning”.
However, the Conservatives questioned how the government would finance the policy, urging the prime minister to “come clean” about funding for “this growing list of policies”.
The government said the £60m scheme would initially be financed through the budgets of the Department for Transport and Department for Work and Pensions.
Work and Pensions Minister Lilian Greenwood said the policy was an “indefinite commitment” rather than a temporary measure, with future funding to be considered during spending reviews.
The new arrangement is scheduled to take effect on 1 April 2027.
Scotland and Wales already provide free bus travel to disabled people, while Northern Ireland offers free travel to blind people and disabled war veterans and half-fare travel to other disabled pass holders.
