England: Disabled People to Receive 24-Hour Free Bus Travel from April Implementation

From April, disabled people in England will qualify for free bus travel 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This policy update, announced by the Department for Transport, marks a significant departure from the previous scheme, which restricted free travel to off-peak hours, typically after 09:30 and before 23:00.

Campaign groups have consistently highlighted the limitations of the existing framework, arguing that the time restrictions hindered access to employment, healthcare, and social activities for disabled individuals. The extension to full 24-hour access is expected to alleviate some of these barriers, providing greater flexibility and independence.

The current concessionary travel scheme, which allows disabled individuals and older people to travel free on local buses during off-peak times, will now be enhanced for the disabled cohort. While older people will retain the off-peak restriction, the change specifically addresses the distinct challenges faced by disabled travellers in accessing essential services outside conventional hours.