100 signatures reached
To: Heidi Alexander MP, Secretary of State for Transport and Sir Stephen Timms MP, Minister of State for Social Security and Disability
End the postcode lottery restricting disabled bus travel
We, the undersigned, are calling on the Government to remove restrictions on the disabled bus pass which affect more than half a million people.
These restrictions, which apply in some areas but not others, make it harder and more costly for disabled people to get to work and access healthcare and education opportunities. This is a deeply unfair barrier for many disabled people, who are already economically disadvantaged.
We are calling on the government to end this postcode lottery by expanding the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme to help disabled people by:
- Ensuring 24/7 validity for the disabled personās bus pass in the whole of England, removing the current restriction that limits free travel in many areas to between 09:30 and 23:00.
- Providing free travel for a companion of a disabled person if that person cannot travel alone by bus.
Why is this important?
Time Restrictions š¤
Over half a million disabled people in England live in areas with restrictions on disabled bus passes. Under the statutory minimum, disabled people can only use their bus pass between 09:30 and 23:00. The peak time restriction makes it harder and more costly for disabled people to get to work, education and healthcare appointments.
Removing time restrictions on disabled bus passes would remove many barriers and help more people into work, training and education. It would also allow disabled people to be more independent and participate actively in their communities. You do not start and stop being disabled at particular times of day, so we believe that disabled people should be able to travel by bus at all times of day.
Hans Gording, an employment support worker for a disability charity, suffers from Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder which restricts his mobility and vision. Hans said: "Disabled people are issued a bus pass for a reason but cannot use it in North Yorkshire before 9am. This discriminates against those like me who cannot drive but need to commute to work or attend regular morning hospital appointments.ā
Companion Passes š„
Some disabled people cannot travel alone by bus and require a companion or carer to support them on bus journeys. However, they have to pay a full fare for their companion. This is a cost that can quickly add up and is a deeply unfair barrier for many disabled people, who are already economically disadvantaged.
Patricia Clements, a former staff nurse, lost her sight in 2022. When Hampshire County Council scrapped their Companion Pass in April 2025, it made it harder for her to visit the eye hospital, do voluntary work for charities and stay well by going swimming. āPeople who help us get on and off buses are volunteering their time and it seems wrong to make them pay to do so,ā she said.
How to end the postcode lottery:
The system is broken in England. Local authorities can voluntarily offer āenhancementsā that extend validity hours or offer free travel for companions. But there is a postcode lottery, with some areas providing a range of enhancements, and others just the statutory minimum. Local and national political leaders then blame each other for the restrictions.
Providing 24/7 disabled bus pass validity and a companion pass for those who need one would cost as little as Ā£10.3 million per year for all 870,000 disabled bus pass holders in England. This affordable reform would also boost the economy by helping more disabled people into work. It is an astonishingly low price to pay for enhancing disabled peopleās wellbeing and independence!
Scotland and Wales already provide 24/7 disabled bus passes and companion passes. Itās only England that has a postcode lottery.
Itās time to fix this broken system. We call on the government to guarantee throughout England 24/7 validity for disabled bus pass holders and free travel for a companion if they cannot travel alone.
