Currently, in England, you can get a bus pass for free travel when you reach the State Pension age, which is 66.

If you live in London, you can travel free on buses, tubes and other transport when you’re 60, but only within London.

In Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can get a bus pass when you reach 60.

Petition: Extend free bus travel for people over 60 in England https://t.co/fGlDD95e3a

— Meech 💚🌍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏳️‍🌈♿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇵🇸 (@scot_tigger) February 4, 2025

A UK Government and Parliament petition reads: “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.”

It currently stands at just over 8000 signatures. To receive a response from the government, the petition has to hit a minimum of 10000. 

See here for more information.

Two MPs have called on the UK Government to review the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS), and allow free bus passes to all over 60s.

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Liberal Democrat MP Will Forster has asked the Department for Transport to consider extending the ENCTS to peak travel times.

In response, Transport Minister Simon Lightwood stated that while the scheme provides free off-peak bus travel for eligible individuals, local authorities can offer additional discretionary concessions.

Mr Lightwood replied: “The ENCTS costs around £700 million annually and, while the Department keeps the scheme under review, any changes to the statutory obligations, such as extending the eligibility criteria, would need to be carefully considered for their impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability.”

Meanwhile, Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion, Siân Berry, has queried whether the Department plans to review the eligibility criteria for disabled people’s bus passes. .