Free bus pass age is going up - here’s how you can still save on bus travel

If you’re waiting for your free bus pass in England, you may have to wait an extra year.

Free bus passes are only available once you reach state pension age. And since the state pension age is increasing, that means you’ll also have to wait longer to get your free travel pass.

What’s changing?

Right now, the state pension age is 66, but starting 6 May 2026, it will begin to increase to 67, and is set to be fully implemented by 2028 for both men and women. A further jump from 67 to 68 expected between 2044 and 2046.

That means if you're approaching retirement, you'll have to wait 12 more months than before to get your free bus pass.

The announcement comes despite campaigners calling for England to have the same concessionary travel benefit as those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where free bus travel is available from the age of 60.

Want cheaper bus fares in the meantime?

There are still plenty of ways you can save on bus travel, depending on your age, where you live, or your personal circumstances.

Older people and disabled people – ENCTS (England)

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) offers:

• free local bus travel between 9:30am and 11pm on weekdays
• all-day travel on weekends and public holidays

Who's eligible?

• people who’ve reached state pension age (currently 66)
• individuals with a qualifying disability, including:
• blind/partially sighted
• profoundly/severely deaf
• without speech
• long-term mobility issues
• limb loss or restricted use of limbs
• learning disabilities
• medically unfit to drive (excluding drug/alcohol misuse)

How to apply

You can apply via your local council or at gov.uk.

Other UK regions

Wales

• English ENCTS passes can be used on local buses within Wales, as long as you don’t change buses in England.

You can apply through your Welsh local authority.

Scotland

• The National Entitlement Card (NEC) offers free bus travel at any time for:
• people aged 60 and over
• eligible disabled individuals

Visit Freebus.Scot to apply.

London

• Londoners aged 60+ can travel free on buses, trams, and many trains across the city using the 60+ Oyster card.
• Those who qualify can later upgrade to a Freedom Pass when they reach state pension age.
• You can travel free on TfL services with your Older Person's Freedom Pass anytime Monday to Friday, except between 04:30 and 09:00. You can travel free anytime at weekends and on bank holidays.
• If you have a Disabled Person's Freedom Pass, you can still travel anytime on our services.

Young people’s travel discounts

Different regions have their own discount schemes for young people travelling by bus.

Greater Manchester

• igo card (5–16): access child fares on buses/trams.
• Our Pass (16–18): free travel on local buses and discounted Metrolink fares.
• Scholar’s Pass (16–19): discounted travel for students.
• Care Leavers (18–25): free/discounted travel.

Visit Transport for Greater Manchester for more details.

South Yorkshire

• Zoom Under 16 Travel Pass: capped at £1 per single journey on buses and trams.

Learn more at Travel South Yorkshire.

West Yorkshire

• Under 19 PhotoCard: discounted fares on buses and trains.

Workwise – West Midlands

If you’ve started a new job in the West Midlands, you could get free travel to work for two months and a third at half price.

You can benefit from Workwise if you’re:

• Starting, or have just started, a new job earning £30,000 a year or less.
• Increasing your hours to 16 or more per week in a job you already have.
• Not getting help with the cost of a travel pass.

To see what you’re eligible for, check with your local council or regional transport provider and start saving on bus travel today.