From September 2025, free bus pass eligibility rules in England will be shifting to reflect updates in the State Pension age. Key changes:
- The age at which older people become eligible for the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) free bus pass will move from 66 to 67.
- This change takes effect beginning April 2026, but the announcement and preparations are being made in late 2025.
Why the Change Is Happening
- The State Pension age is legally linked with the eligibility for older person’s free bus travel under ENCTS.
- Legislation (Pensions Act 2014) mandates that the State Pension age rises, and free travel schemes follow this increase.
Who Is Affected
| Person Description | Previously Eligible Age | New Eligibility Age (England) | Regions Not Affected / Differences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Older people outside London | 66 (when State Pension age is 66) | 67 (from 2026–2028) | Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland will still offer from 60. |
| London residents | Some local schemes provide earlier eligibility (e.g. 60+ Oyster card & Freedom Pass arrangements) | Those special local schemes remain in place; national scheme age rising doesn’t remove local discretion. | |
| Disability / special circumstances | Already eligible under disability-related concession rules, not strictly age-based in many cases | No major announced change in their concessions timing due to this age shift. | The rules for disabled passes (restricted times etc.) remain under review or subject to local authority variation. |
Key Facts & Figures
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Current State Pension age | 66 years for both men and women. |
| New State Pension age timeline | Will rise to 67 between April 2026 and March 2028. |
| ENCTS cost | The free bus travel scheme in England costs around £700 million annually. Local authorities can offer additional concessions but they fund them locally. |
| Eligibility in devolved nations | Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland offer free bus passes from age 60. |
What This Means in Practice
- If you are turning 66 after the State Pension age increase (i.e., after the date when everyone’s State Pension age becomes 67), you will have to wait until 67 to get the free bus pass under the national scheme.
- In many areas, people will still be able to get free travel earlier if their local council funds a discretionary concession scheme. But that’s not guaranteed everywhere.
- The change is generally seen as aligning free bus pass age with pension reforms—but has raised concerns among campaigners about fairness, cost of living, and mobility for older people.
The September 2025 announcement signals a significant policy shift: aligning free bus pass eligibility in England with the rising State Pension age, meaning many will have to wait until 67 rather than 66 to qualify.
While Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland continue with their more generous threshold of 60, England faces a tougher road ahead for older people seeking concessionary travel.
Local councils may offset these changes in some areas, but the national baseline is being raised. The key takeaway? If you’re close to pension age, check your birthdate, check your local council’s rules, and plan ahead.
FAQs
When exactly will the eligibility age shift happen?
The eligibility age for free bus passes in England will move from 66 to 67 in line with the rising State Pension age, somewhere between April 2026 and March 2028. The exact date depends on your date of birth.
Does this change apply everywhere in the UK?
No. It applies to England under the national scheme. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will continue offering free bus travel from age 60 for older people under their own concessionary transport schemes
What about London or other areas with local schemes?
Some London schemes (e.g. the Freedom Pass, 60+ Oyster card) already provide benefits for those aged 60+. These local or city-based discretionary schemes are not removed by the national change. Areas with council-funded concessions might still offer earlier eligibility.