Millions of older people in England will have to wait a little longer for their free travel as the government prepares to change the rules for bus passes. From April 2026, the age you can get an older person’s bus pass will go up. This is because the age for the state pension is rising, and the bus pass in England is linked to that date. Instead of getting your pass at 66, many people will now find they have to wait until they turn 67 before they can hop on a bus for free. This change is part of a bigger plan to keep the benefit working for years to come.
Why the rules are moving
The main reason for this shift is that people are living longer, and the government is moving the official retirement age to match. In the past, you could get your free bus pass as soon as you hit 66. However, between 2026 and 2028, the state pension age is slowly climbing to 67. Because the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme follows the pension age, the “golden ticket” for free travel is moving along with it. This means if you were born after March 1961, you will likely be one of the thousands who have to wait an extra twelve months.
Differences across the UK
It is important to know that these new rules mostly affect people living in England. If you live in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, things are a bit different because their governments make their own rules. In those countries, most people can still get a free bus pass when they turn 60. Even in England, there are some small exceptions. For example, people living in London can often get a special “60+” Oyster card to travel around the city, though this doesn’t work for free travel across the rest of the country.
Who still gets a pass
While the age is going up for most, many people will not be affected by the April 2026 change. If you already have your bus pass, you don’t need to worry; the government isn’t taking it away. You can keep using it just like you do now. Also, people with certain disabilities can still get a bus pass regardless of their age. The government has also kept the rules the same for “companion passes,” which allow a carer to travel for free with someone who needs extra help, though these might have stricter checks in the future.
Key details at a glance
To help you understand if you are affected, here is a simple guide to how the ages compare across the different regions.
| Region | Current Age for Pass | Age from April 2026 |
| England | 66 | 67 (linked to pension) |
| Scotland | 60 | 60 |
| Wales | 60 | 60 |
| Northern Ireland | 60 | 60 |
New rules for travel times
Along with the age change, there are some new reminders about when you can actually use your pass. In England, the free travel usually starts at 9:30 AM and ends at 11:00 PM on weekdays. You can still use it all day on weekends and bank holidays. The government is asking councils to be a bit stricter with these times to make sure buses aren’t too crowded during the early morning rush when people are going to work or school. Some local councils might still let you travel earlier, but you will need to check with your local town hall to be sure.
What you need to do next
For most people, there is nothing to do right now except wait. When you get close to your 67th birthday, you can apply for your pass online through your local council’s website. They are moving to a “digital-first” system, which means it is much faster to apply on a computer or a smartphone. If you aren’t great with technology, don’t worry most councils will still have paper forms or people who can help you at the library. Just make sure you have a recent photo and proof of where you live ready for when the time comes.
