Should free bus travel be available from age 60 across the UK, not just at state pension age?
In England the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme offers free off-peak bus travel from state pension age, currently rising from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland provide it from age 60, as does London via its 60+ Oyster photocard. A petition with over 100,000 signatures has renewed calls to align England with the rest of the UK, citing costs of around £700-800 million a year for any national change.
4 Opinions
Given that pension age is heading to 67 now, that's 7 years of free bus travel for working people who are, arguably, in the height of their career. Need to refocus that investment in other places like absolutely collapsed regional services and bus infrastructure
No, fairness would be to not to have a free rides at tax payer expenses. And to paid pensions that allow pensioners by as many bus tickets as they need.
At age 60, no. When pension age is reached, and even then it should be means tested. The tax payer would be picking up the tab for subsidising the costs. It's unlikely to lead to an increase in bus routes, which is also a problem of getting people onto public transport as, outside large urban areas, it rarely runs where and when you need it.
Free bus travel as a mechanism to encourage the elderly off the roads is a great idea, but it should align with the state retirement age.