SCOTLAND has been hailed for its free pensioner travel scheme as the UK Government was urged to expand an “unjust” policy.

More than 4,900 people have signed a petition which aims to expand the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS).

The UK Government is facing calls to follow Scotland‘s lead and introduce a travel policy which allows free bus travel for everyone over the age of 60.

The petition states: “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.”

In 2024, the Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed that the government had “absolutely no plans to withdraw the concessionary bus pass scheme” for people over State Pension age or those with a disability“.

Karen Hickman – who started the petition – argues that the current scheme is “unjust” and called for “equality for everyone over 60”.

She said that English residents outside of London aren’t entitled to free bus travel until they reach the State Pension age – which is currently 66.

The ‘extend free bus travel for people over 60 in England’ e-petition requires 10,000 signatures to be entitled to a written response.

If it reaches 100,000 signatures, the Petitions Committee would consider it for debate in Parliament.

The new Labour Government was encouraged to consider “potential merits of a reciprocal agreement between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland” in December.

The move would allow every State Pensioner to travel in and between every country in the UK for free.

Labour MP Elsie Blundell put the question to the Department for Transport.

In response, Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, explained the scheme to be one of “devolved policy area” meaning the “administrative arrangements in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland differ from those in England”.

The National Entitlement Card – Scotland

The National Entitlement Card (NEC) gives elderly and disabled people free bus travel across Scotland, providing discounts on most forms of public transport.

The NEC is valid for up to three years – but SPT no longer sends out renewal forms to cardholders, so it is vital that holders check their expiry date.

Often referred to as a ‘Saltire Card’, SPT recommends applying for a renewal card at least five weeks before the expiry date.

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