The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed a delay to when people in England can claim their free bus pass following a law change in April. The State Pension age in the UK is set in law and under the Pension Act 2014 is currently set at age 66 for both men and women, but this is legislated to rise from next month.

The age rise to 67 will be phased in over a two-year period between April 2026 and 2028, which means those who have a 66th birthday that falls within the transitionary period will be impacted. Not only will it mean a delay as to when people become eligible to claim their State Pension, it also means a longer wait for people in England to get a free bus pass.

Eligibility for a free bus pass in England is linked to State Pension age, unless you live in London, in which case you can get free travel on buses, trains and other modes of transport in and around the capital from age 60 and over. Otherwise, you have to wait until you reach State Pension age, which is currently 66.

But from April 6, the DfT has confirmed that eligibility for a free bus pass will change in line with the increase in State Pension age, which will affect anyone born on or after April 1960. For those born between April 6, 1960 and March 5, 1961, you will qualify for a free bus pass at age 66 plus a specified number of months.

This law change means that some people will be closer to age 66 when they can get their free bus pass, while others will be only a month or two away from their 67th birthday by the time they become eligible. Anyone with a birthday after March 5, 1961, will be eligible for a free bus in England from age 67.

A DfT spokesperson told The Express: “Eligibility for an older person’s bus pass under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme is linked to State Pension age. This means eligibility will change in line with the increase in State Pension age from April.

“People born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961 will qualify at 66 plus a specified number of months, depending on their date of birth.

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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has set out the following timetable for the increase in State Pension age from 66 to 67, which shows when people with birthdays between April 6, 1960, and March 5, 1961 can claim their State Pension, and in turn, their free bus pas: