England's free senior bus pass age to rise with state pension changes

Under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme, a free bus pass for older people is granted once an individual reaches state pension age. As the pension age is being increased from 66 to 67 in stages from April 2026 through March 2028, the qualifying age for the pass will also move. Those born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961 will now become eligible at ages ranging from 66 years 1 month to 66 years 11 months, depending on their exact birth date, meaning they will wait longer for free bus travel.

The Department for Transport confirmed the adjustment aligns the bus-pass entitlement with the pension-age rise. The first affected cohort begins reaching the new ages in May 2026, with the final group doing so before the universal 67-year threshold applies to later births. London residents aged 60 and over retain a separate entitlement through a 60+ Oyster photocard, subject to scheme conditions.