Disabled bus pass holders gain 24-hour free travel from April 2027
Government removes weekday time restrictions for England’s 2.6 million disabled pass users
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From 1 April 2027, disabled bus pass holders in England will travel free on local bus services at any time of day. The government announced the removal of current weekday restrictions, which limit free travel to between 9.30 am and 11 pm. The change affects approximately 2.6 million pass holders across the country.
Andy Burnham, the prime minister, is allocating £60 million to fund the policy. The Department for Work and Pensions will provide £40 million, and the Department for Transport will contribute £20 million. Government sources told The Guardian the funding is not a one-off payment and has no set end date.
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Why the change matters
Disabled people often face higher living costs and rely on buses for work, education and healthcare. The current time restrictions have forced some to pay for travel during peak hours. Charities have argued the limits create a postcode lottery, as some councils already fund extended hours.
Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, said the change would end this inconsistency. "Disabled people deserve the same freedom to travel as everyone else," she told The Guardian. "This removes an arbitrary barrier that has held people back."
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Buses are a lifeline for so many people, making it easier to get to work, education and healthcare. It’s simply not right that many disabled people cannot travel using their pass during certain times of the day. So we’re fixing that.
Andy Burnham, prime minister
What happens next
The policy requires parliamentary approval. Government sources said the seven-month timeline allows local transport authorities to prepare for the change. Greater Manchester has already operated 24-hour free travel for disabled pass holders since March 2026.
The government also confirmed it will keep the £2 fare cap on buses throughout 2027 and provide free bus travel for under-16s this summer. These measures are part of wider plans to make bus travel more affordable.
Reaction from charities
James Taylor, executive director of strategy at Scope, said the change would help disabled people who need to travel in the morning. "Disabled people face extra costs every day," he said. "This will put money back in their pockets and remove barriers to everyday life."
Lydia Horbury, chief executive of Bus Users UK, called the change a step towards genuine freedom. "Disabled people don’t live off-peak lives," she said. "Lifting these restrictions nationwide reduces isolation and supports bus use."
Questions this report answers
+When does 24-hour free bus travel for disabled pass holders start?
The change takes effect on 1 April 2027. It removes current weekday restrictions that limit free travel to between 9.30 am and 11 pm. Disabled pass holders will then travel free at any time of day or night.
+How much is the government spending on this change?
The government is allocating £60 million to fund 24-hour free bus travel for disabled pass holders. The Department for Work and Pensions will provide £40 million, and the Department for Transport will contribute £20 million.
+Will this affect disabled bus pass holders in London?
The change applies to England, but Transport for London already offers 24-hour free travel for disabled pass holders. The new policy will standardise the rule across all English local bus services outside London.
+What do I need to do to use my disabled bus pass after April 2027?
No action is required. The change will apply automatically to all existing disabled bus passes from 1 April 2027. Local transport authorities will update their systems before the policy starts.
WE FILE
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The London Travel Desk assembled this report from the outlets listed below. Language-model drafting is reviewed under human editorial supervision, with scoring notes and corrections kept visible.
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