People in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland get free bus travel when they are 60, but in England it’s the choice of local authorities – should it be lowered to 60 across the whole UK? Have your say
The government has been forced to respond to a petition urging free bus pass rules in England to change – but do you think the free bus travel age should be dropped to 60?
Currently, people in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland all get free bus travel aged over 60, but in England the age stands at 66. More than 10,000 people have now signed an online appeal asking the government to reduce the free bus pass age to 60 in England, passing the threshold at which the government must respond.
Providing an update on the scheme, the Department for Transport responded in an official statement. They highlighted the sizeable £700 million a year bill of the scheme which provides free off-peak travel for over-66s in England.
The petition points out the disparity between England and Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales: “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.”
As it stands, local authorities can choose to offer extra travel perks, with London and Merseyside offering free travel to those over 60 already. However there’s hesitation about the financial implications of rolling it out nationwide.
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Campaigners argue that people outside of London should get the same travel benefits as those living in the capital. They say: “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 a cautious response, The Department for Transport cited financial considerations: “The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme costs around £700 million annually. Any changes to the statutory scheme must be carefully considered for their impact on its financial sustainability.
“The government wants everyone to have access to public transport and is committed to improving services. We also recognise the importance of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme [ENCTS] in supporting local bus travel, assisting with access to essential local services and helping those who use it to stay active and avoid isolation.”
Highlighting the current provisions, the department added: “The ENCTS provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age, currently sixty-six. The ENCTS costs around £700 million annually and any changes to the statutory obligations, such as lowering the age of eligibility, would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability.
“Local authorities in England do have the power to offer concessions in addition to their statutory obligations, for example, by extending the age of eligibility for the older persons’ bus pass. These are additional local concessions provided and funded by local authorities from local resources, depending on the needs and priorities of each area.
“At the Budget on 30 October, the government confirmed a £1 billion boost for buses, of which £712 million has been allocated to local authorities to support and improve bus services. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services for passengers can be used in whichever way they wish. This could include extending the discretionary concessions available in the local area.”
The petition calling for the free travel age has gathered over 16,000 signatures, pulling it closer to the 100,000 mark at which the issue must be debated in Parliament.
What do you think? Should the free bus travel age be dropped to 60? Take our poll and have your say in the comments below.
