The “older person’s bus pass” is linked to state pension age in England, but it may be possible to get one sooner.
For example, people who live in London can travel free on buses, tubes and other transport from the age of 60, but only within London.
The rules differ in other UK countries – people who live in Wales can get a bus pass when they reach 60.
Likewise, those living in Scotland and Northern Ireland can get an “older person’s” bus pass when they turn 60.
People who live in London can travel free on buses, tubes and other transport from the age of 60, but only within London
PEXELS
There are several free tools online that can help a person check when they are able to get their free bus pass.
On the “Apply for an older person’s bus pass” page of GOV.UK, the service instructs people to enter their postcode so they can check if they “can get one sooner”.
After entering the postcode, it should match the details with the relevant council’s website.
The “Check your state pension age” tool can also be used to see when one will be eligible for free bus travel.
Users simply need to select the “Bus pass age – find out when you’ll get free bus travel” option and enter their date of birth.
It’ll then confirm what a person’s free bus pass age is within the different parts of the UK.
GOV.UK states: “The dates may be different in some areas, check with your council when you can apply for a bus pass.
“You can get a 60+ Oyster card from Transport for London if you live in Greater London.”
People may be able to get a free bus pass before state pension age
PEXELS
State pension age is rising, which means some people are having to wait longer than they previously would have done to get the state pension, and in England, the free bus pass.
State pension age was 60 for women and 65 for men in the past, but it has since been increased to 65 for both men and women, before rising to 66.
It will rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028, and is due to then increase further to 68.
The Government said earlier this year that there would be a review within two years of next Parliament to “reconsider” the rise to age 68.
