Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of removing the 9:30am restriction on the Disabled Person’s Bus Pass.

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those of state pension age, currently sixty-six, and those with eligible disabilities. The ENCTS costs around £700 million annually and any changes to the statutory obligations, such as removing the 9:30am restriction, would need to be carefully considered for their impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability.

Local authorities in England have the power to offer additional concessions beyond the statutory scheme, funded from local resources, for example, by allowing concessionary passholders to travel before 9:30am.

The Government has confirmed over £1 billion for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. Local authorities can use this funding in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, including enhancing concessionary travel locally.