Sonia Kumar MP welcomes 24/7 free bus travel for disabled people across Dudley
Government funding will guarantee disabled bus pass holders free bus travel at any time of day from April 2027
- 43,737 disabled concessionary bus passes are held across the West Midlands Combined Authority area
- From 1 April 2027, time restrictions on disabled concessionary bus passes will be removed across England
- The change will make it easier for disabled people in Dudley to travel for work, education, training, healthcare and everyday activities
- The nationwide scheme is backed by £60 million of Government funding
Sonia Kumar MP has welcomed new Government action guaranteeing disabled people in Dudley free bus travel at any time of day, seven days a week.
From 1 April 2027, the Labour Government will remove national time restrictions on disabled concessionary bus passes, ensuring eligible passengers can travel free of charge regardless of the time of day or where they live.
The announcement is particularly significant for the West Midlands, where 43,737 disabled concessionary travel passes were recorded across the West Midlands Combined Authority area in 2025.
At present, the national concession only guarantees free weekday travel between 9.30am and 11pm, although local authorities can choose to fund additional concessions. This has resulted in different arrangements operating in different parts of England.
The Government is now providing £60 million to remove those national time restrictions, ensuring disabled bus pass holders across England have the same entitlement to free bus travel from April next year.
For people in Dudley, greater flexibility could make it easier to get to an early hospital appointment at Russells Hall Hospital, travel to work, attend college or training, visit family and friends, or simply get around without having to worry about whether their concessionary pass is valid at that particular time.
The Government says the change follows feedback from disabled people and representative organisations about the importance of flexible transport for accessing work, education, healthcare and everyday activities.
Sonia Kumar MP said:
“For many disabled people in Dudley, buses aren’t simply a convenient way of getting around – they’re a lifeline connecting them with work, education, healthcare, family and their community.
“Someone travelling to an early shift, a hospital appointment or college shouldn’t find that the bus pass in their pocket can’t be used simply because of the time of day.
“That’s why I welcome this change. From April next year, disabled people will have the reassurance of knowing that their concessionary bus pass can be used at any time of day.
“With more than 43,000 disabled concessionary passes across the West Midlands Combined Authority area, this is a change that has the potential to make a practical difference to thousands of people’s everyday lives.
“Good public transport is also about independence and opportunity. I want people in Dudley to be able to get to work, attend appointments, access education and training and stay connected with the people and places that matter to them.”
The policy forms part of wider Government reforms to bus services. The Government has passed the Bus Services Act, backed by £3 billion, and is supporting mayoral authorities to introduce bus franchising and give local leaders greater control over services.
It also follows plans for a £2 bus fare cap throughout 2027, while Government funding has enabled under-16s to travel free on local buses during August.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:
“Buses are a lifeline for so many people – making it easier to get to work, education and healthcare. It’s simply not right that many disabled people cannot travel using their pass during certain times of the day. So we’re fixing that. Disabled people will now have unlimited free bus travel 24/7.
“I did it before in Greater Manchester and I’m proud to do it now for the whole country. This is part of our ongoing action to bring back hope and give people some much needed breathing space on the cost of living.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:
“We’re putting an end to this postcode lottery, so disabled people can travel on buses for free whenever they need, wherever they live – unlocking opportunities and access to jobs, learning, and more.
“We are making this change because we’ve listened to disabled people, and we know the importance of buses to local communities. These passes are a lifeline for so many, helping them stay connected and get to work and appointments, and it’s only right they receive the same treatment, no matter their postcode.”
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said:
“For too long, disabled people have held a free bus pass in their pocket that didn’t always get them to work.
“Now we’re changing that. By removing these time restrictions, we’re helping disabled people access jobs, training, and other opportunities at any time of the day.
“Alongside our £3.5 billion investment in tailored employment support, this change shows we’re serious about breaking down the barriers that have held disabled people back for too long.”