Major update to free bus pass age rule

People over a certain age can get a free bus pass, but changes to the State Pension age mean many will have to wait a bit longer to get one. Rules differ around the UK, but in England you can get an older person’s bus pass (which unlocks free travel on local routes) once you reach State Pension age. From April 6, 2026, the Government began a phased increase of the State Pension age from 66 to 67. It means depending on your age you’ll have to wait an additional one to 12 months until you can start claiming the pension, assuming you have built up enough contributions to do so.

As a result, people who would have got a free pass straight after turning 66 previously will have to wait longer to get one in many cases. This isn’t the case in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland where you get a bus pass when you reach 60 provided you meet some eligibility criteria around your residency or how long you’ve lived there.

A DfT spokesperson said: “Eligibility for an older person’s bus pass under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme is linked to State Pension age. This means eligibility will change in line with the increase in State Pension age from April. People born between April 6, 1960 and March 5, 1961 will qualify at 66 plus a specified number of months, depending on their date of birth.

“There is a tool to check the date people become eligible for a bus pass at Check your State Pension age – GOV.UK, by entering their date of birth.”

The GOV.UK website notes that if you live in London, you can travel free on buses, tubes and other transport when you’re 60, but only within the capital.

You can unlock this by applying for a 60+ London Oyster photocard. You can then get an Older Person’s Freedom Pass once you reach State Pension age. A further increase to the State Pension age from 67 to 68 is currently scheduled to take place between 2044 and 2046, under the Pensions Act 2007.

However, the Government stresses that this may change as a result of a future review. The full rate of the new State Pension is £241.30 a week, though the amount you get may differ depending on various factors. These include: you were contracted out before 2016; the number of National Insurance qualifying years you have; and if you paid into the Additional State Pension before 2016, the GOV.UK website explains.

Under the “triple lock” commitment, the State Pension rises by one of three measures annually: wage growth; inflation; or 2.5% – whichever is highest.

It was confirmed today that some 13 million pensioners are set to see their payments rise by 3.9% when the State Pension is uprated in April next year, based on wage growth figures for the May to July period of 2026, which outstrip inflation.

At the Labour Party conference this year, Andy Burnham announced plans to de-link the State Pension from wage growth, effectively moving to a “double lock” system. He said savings would help fund his plans for a national social care service.

However, the Government has made clear that it maintains its commitment to keep the triple lock in place for the duration of the current Parliament.