UK to End Time Limits on Free Disabled Bus Travel

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced on August 18, 2026, that the UK government will remove time restrictions on free bus travel for disabled people in England, allowing them to use their concessionary passes at any time of day from April 1, 2027. The change, which removes the current weekday limit of travel between 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., is estimated to benefit about one million people and is framed as a key measure to improve access to employment and ease the cost of living.

Currently, disabled bus passes in most of England are only valid for free travel during off-peak hours on weekdays, though they can be used at any time on weekends and bank holidays. Local authorities could previously choose to fund extended hours, creating a postcode lottery where restrictions were lifted in areas like London and Greater Manchester but remained elsewhere. Burnham said the policy change eliminates this inconsistency nationally. "It is simply not right that many disabled people cannot travel using their pass during certain times of the day," he stated, noting he had implemented a similar rule in Greater Manchester during his time as mayor.

The government confirmed the policy will be...