Disabled people in England will receive 24-hour free bus travel from 1 April, the government has announced. This change will allow disabled bus passes to be used at any time of day, removing current weekday restrictions between 09:30 and 23:00.
The government believes approximately one million people could benefit from the new policy. Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated it was "simply not right that many disabled people cannot travel using their pass during certain times of the day."
The £60m scheme will be funded from the budgets of the Department for Transport and Department for Work and Pensions. Disability charity Scope welcomed the move, saying it would "remove barriers to everyday life."
This initiative is part of the government's focus on reducing the cost of living and encouraging people into work. Similar unrestricted travel for disabled pass holders was previously introduced in Greater Manchester's Bee Network by Mr Burnham.