If you use an Older Person’s Bus Pass or a Disabled Person’s Bus Pass in England, big changes are coming in just a few days. Starting 25 November 2025, the government is updating the rules on when and how you can use your free bus pass. Here’s everything you need to know so you don’t get caught out.
What’s Actually Changing on 25 November 2025?
The Department for Transport has confirmed that from Monday 25 November 2025, the national concessionary bus pass scheme in England will have new time restrictions and a couple of small rule tweaks.
The two main changes are:
- Off-peak travel will now start at 9:30 am instead of 9:00 am on weekdays (Monday to Friday). That means between 9:00 am and 9:30 am you’ll have to pay the full fare if you’re using an English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) pass.
- The weekend and Bank Holiday rules stay the same – free travel all day, any time.
Local councils can still choose to offer extra benefits (some already let pass holders travel before 9:30 am), but the national minimum is now firmly set at 9:30 am weekdays.
Who Does This Affect?
This change only applies in England. If you live in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, your bus pass rules are staying exactly the same for now.
In England it affects:
- Everyone with an Older Person’s Bus Pass (usually issued when you reach State Pension age)
- Everyone with a Disabled Person’s Bus Pass
- Companion passes where the companion travels free with the pass holder
If you have a local council “gold card” or extra scheme that already gives travel before 9:30 am, check with your council – many are keeping their enhanced hours, but not all.
Why Is the Government Making This Change?
The official reason is to ease morning peak pressure on buses and to save money. The government says the old 9:00 am start time was putting too many concessionary passengers on already crowded peak services, especially in cities and big towns.
By shifting the free travel cut-off by just 30 minutes, they claim it will:
- Reduce overcrowding on the busiest morning routes
- Save local authorities and bus operators around £50 million a year in reimbursement costs
A lot of pensioners and disability groups aren’t happy, saying 30 minutes can make a big difference if you have hospital appointments, care visits, or need to get to work as a volunteer.
What Should You Do Before 25 November?
- Check your local council website or call the bus pass helpline – some areas (for example London with the 60+ Oyster and Freedom Pass) are keeping travel from 9:00 am because they run their own schemes.
- If you have a regular journey between 9:00 and 9:30 am on weekdays, budget for the fare or see if you can leave 30 minutes later.
Quick Summary of the New Rules (From 25 November 2025)
- Monday–Friday: Free travel starts at 9:30 am and runs until the last bus
- Weekends & Bank Holidays: Free all day, no restrictions
- London Freedom Pass and some other local schemes: Still free from 9:00 am (check your card)
- Companion passes follow the same times as the main pass holder
Conclusion
The 25 November 2025 change is small on paper—just half an hour—but for thousands of older and disabled people it could mean paying for journeys they used to get free or having to rearrange their day. The government says it’s about fairness and protecting peak services for workers, but many feel it’s another squeeze on people who already struggle.
Make sure you know exactly what your local council is doing, because the rules aren’t the same everywhere in England. Double-check before Monday morning so you’re not stuck at the bus stop with a pass that suddenly doesn’t work until 9:30.
FAQs – Bus Pass Changes November 2025
Q: Does this affect my Freedom Pass in London?
A: No. The London Freedom Pass and 60+ Oyster photocard still let you travel free from 9:00 am Monday–Friday. London runs its own scheme.
Q: What about TfL buses outside London or National Express?
A: National concessionary passes never worked on National Express coaches. On TfL buses outside Greater London, the new 9:30 am rule applies.
Q: I’m disabled and have early hospital appointments. Is there any help?
A: Some councils offer discretionary enhancements or taxi card schemes. Contact your local authority as soon as possible.
Q: Will the pass still work in other parts of England when I visit family?
A: Yes, the pass is valid anywhere in England, but the new 9:30 am weekday rule applies nationwide (except where local schemes are more generous).
Q: Can I still use my pass on trams or the Tube?
A: Only if your local scheme includes them (for example some areas in the West Midlands). The national bus pass is for local bus services only.
Stay safe on the buses, and double-check your local council’s website before the 25th!