The Department for Transport has been urged to amend a free bus pass regulation dating back to the year 2000. A petition advocating for the Labour government to provide complimentary bus passes to carers is rapidly gaining support.
Current Free Bus Pass Rules
At present, individuals aged 60 and above can access reduced travel fares in many local authority regions. However, on a national level, the qualifying age for a free bus pass generally aligns with the state pension age, which the Department for Work and Pensions is incrementally raising from 66 to 67.
Petition Demands
The petition calls on the DfT to: "Amend the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme, Transport Act 2000 and relevant legislation, and fund mandatory free bus passes for all carers of disabled people."
The petition states: "There are disabled people who cannot travel without their carers and we think carers should be able to travel with them for free." It highlights that some disabled individuals reliant on carers currently have to cover their carer's bus fare, meaning their travel is not genuinely free.
"The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme is meant to help eligible elderly and disabled people to travel for free by bus. In our view, disabled people who rely on carers are not travelling for free if they have to pay for their carers. We want carers of disabled people who have a bus pass for free travel, to have free carer bus passes too."
Next Steps
This petition is open for signatures. If it reaches 10,000 signatures, the government will issue a response. Should it achieve 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.
London Travel Information
In London, eligible individuals can travel free or receive discounts on various transport services. With an Older Person's Freedom Pass, free travel on TfL services is available anytime Monday to Friday, except between before 9am. Free travel is permitted anytime on weekends and bank holidays. Holders of a Disabled Person's Freedom Pass can travel anytime on TfL services.
If you previously had a Disabled Person's Freedom Pass and now possess an Older Person's Freedom Pass, you may qualify for a new Disabled Person's Freedom Pass if you cannot avoid travelling before 9am. Contact your borough for further information.
