Disabled people across England are set to benefit from free bus travel around the clock under plans to remove time restrictions on concessionary bus passes.

From April next year, eligible disabled people will be able to use their passes for free 24 hours a day, seven days a week, removing restrictions which currently limit when the passes can be used.

At present, disabled people's concessionary bus passes are generally valid between 9.30am and 11pm on weekdays, unless individual local authorities choose to fund an extension.

The changes mean disabled people will no longer have to plan their journeys around these restrictions, allowing them to travel for free at any time of day.

The move is being introduced as part of the government's wider efforts to ease cost-of-living pressures, with ministers looking to provide greater financial support to disabled people.

Some areas have already introduced similar measures locally. Greater Manchester, for example, previously extended free bus travel for disabled residents under former mayor Andy Burnham.

However, the new changes will make the removal of time restrictions consistent across England, rather than leaving it dependent on where someone lives.

The expansion could make a significant difference for disabled people who rely on public transport for work, education, medical appointments, social activities and everyday journeys.

The changes are expected to come into effect from April next year, giving eligible disabled passengers greater freedom to travel without worrying about whether their concessionary pass is valid at the time they need to travel.

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