Free bus passes to change for pensioners

Free bus passes to change for pensioners

Free bus passes are set to change for pensioners as the age people can claim their pensions is about to be altered.

Currently, the elderly can claim these passes from the age of 66 (the same year they can receive their pensions).

If the state pension age rises though, the age to receive the discounts will also rise.

The government is reportedly planning on increasing the state pension age from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028.

However, life expectancy rates could mean that the change is pushed back as far as 2051 as figures are not rising as predicted.

To find out if you are eligible for a free bus pass, information can be found here.

You can apply for a pass if you have reached the female state pension age (regardless of gender) or have an eligible disability.

The pass gives certain passengers free rides on ‘off-peak’ scheduled bus services, such as those run before 9:30am in places like Lincolnshire.

In London alone, however, free bus, tube and other transport passes are given to people from the age of just 60.

However, the passes cannot be used on services such as National Express (which reserves the majority of their seats), rail replacement services, park and ride services, coach excursions/tours, taxis and private hire cars, train, some seasonal services or community
transport schemes.

(Image: Mangopear creative)