Free bus journey replace as DfT points u19 assertion after over 60s debate

The Department for Transport has issued a statement in response to a question over the possibility of giving every person after 19 and under free travel on the nation’s buses

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Government officials have provided a fresh update to campaigners pushing for sweeping reforms to concessionary bus passes across the UK. The Department for Transport has responded to inquiries about the prospect of offering free bus travel to all individuals aged 19 and under nationwide.

This comes after intense discussions last month regarding whether over-60s in England should receive complimentary bus travel – mirroring arrangements already in place for those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The DfT has confirmed that funding has been allocated to local authorities, which could potentially be utilised to expand concessionary travel schemes locally, including both over-60s and under-19s free bus journeys.

In the latest parliamentary exchange, Conservative MP Richard Holden questioned Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander: “What estimate she has made of the annual cost of extending the statutory concessionary bus travel scheme UK-wide to include all residents aged 19 and under.”

Currently, all youngsters between 5 and 21 enjoy complimentary bus travel in Scotland, whilst Wales offers its Young Persons’ Bus Travel Scheme to those aged 16 to 21.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland permits 16 to 23 year olds to obtain a free yLink card through the Translink website, delivering 50% discounts on bus and rail journeys.

In England, the decision rests with individual local authorities. In response, Simon Lightwood, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department for Transport, confirmed that funds were available to implement these changes.

He stated: “The Government knows how important affordable bus services are in enabling young people to access education, work and vital services.”

He further explained: “Concessionary travel is a devolved policy area. The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (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 £795 million annually in reimbursement costs to operators. Any changes to the statutory obligations, such as expanding the eligibility criteria to include under 19’s, would need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability.

“The Government has confirmed over £3 billion from 2026/27 to support local leaders and bus operators across England to improve bus services over the spending review period. This includes multi-year allocations for local authorities under the Local Authority Bus Grant (LABG) totalling nearly £700 million per year. Essex County Council will be allocated £59.3 million under the LABG from 2026/27 to 2028/29, in addition to the £17.8 million they are already receiving this year. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services can be used in whichever way they wish to deliver better services for passengers, which could include introducing new fares initiatives to reduce the cost of bus travel for young people.”

A significant concern remains that pensioners over 60 in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all enjoy free bus travel because their devolved administrations have chosen to fund the scheme.

In England, however, it falls to financially stretched local councils to decide whether to pay for the concession, with only Transport for London and Merseyside making it official policy. In January the debate on concessionary fares took place following a petition that secured more than 100,000 signatures.

Labour’s Tony Vaughan declared: “There are many areas of our country where there is free bus travel for the over-60s: London, Liverpool, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. In our country, there is a growing misperception that if someone is over 60, they are somehow financially blessed, with a house on which the mortgage has been paid off, and they have plenty of assets and capital washing around. Many people think that the over-60s do not need free bus travel. I challenge that narrative”.

He continued: “A new report from Standard Life identifies a substantial rise in financial insecurity among people in their early 60s, after the increases in the state pension age since 2010, and highlights that there are a quarter of a million more people aged 60 to 64 in relative income poverty than there were in 2010.”

Vaughan emphasised the existing success of such schemes: “There is already free bus travel for the over-60s in several parts of the UK, so this policy can work. The 60+ London Oyster photocard, operated and funded by TfL, is available to London residents over 60. There are 383,000 active users of that photocard, which I know makes a positive difference to the lives of the 24% of Londoners in that age group who live in poverty.”

Independent MP Iqbal Mohamed declared: “The fact that more than 100,000 people signed it shows how strongly the public feel about the issue and how far it reaches into people’s everyday lives. People’s access to free travel should not depend on where they live or how stretched their council’s budget happens to be. National problems require national solutions.”

Labour’s Mohammad Yasin argued: “Free bus travel for over-60s would not only provide much-needed financial relief, but help to reduce social isolation, support access to healthcare and enable continued engagement in work, volunteering and community life.”

Responding to the calls, Mr Lightwood explained: “For many people in their early 60s, buses are a lifeline to work, caring, volunteering and staying active in their communities. However, eligibility for an older person’s bus pass in England is set in legislation at the state pension age, which is currently 66. That link reflects changes in longevity and helps to ensure that the scheme remains equitable and affordable over time. Any change to national eligibility would therefore need to be considered carefully.”

He highlighted the financial implications: “The concessionary travel scheme is a significant national entitlement. Local authority spending on concessionary travel, supported by the Government, is around £795 million a year. Changing the national statutory eligibility would carry substantial additional recurring costs.

“At the end of last year, we confirmed long-term investment of more than £3 billion over the next three years to support local leaders and bus operators across the country, in order to improve local bus services for millions of passengers over the remainder of this spending period.”

To view the debate click here.