Disabled people in England will be able to travel by bus for free at any time of day from April, the government has announced. Currently, disabled bus passes are only eligible for use between the hours of 09:30 and 23:00 on weekdays, making it difficult for people to get to work or attend later evening events. They can be used at any time of day at the weekend and on bank holidays.
It is believed about one million people could benefit from the change, which forms part of the government's focus on reducing the cost of living and encouraging people into work. The disability charity Scope said the move would "remove barriers to everyday life". According to the government, bus travel is the most popular mode of transport in England and a "lifeline for so many".
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said it was "simply not right that many disabled people cannot travel using their pass during certain times of the day". He said the government would change that, as he had done previously in his role as mayor of Greater Manchester. Earlier this year, Burnham removed time-restricted travel for those with disabled passes in Manchester so they could use the city's bus system, known as the Bee Network, at any time of day.
"I'm proud to do it now for the whole country," he added. Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough and prominent advocate for the policy, called it a "Whuge win for the disabled community" and a "culmination of two years of campaigning". But a Conservative Party spokesman asked the prime minister to "come clean" on how he was going to fund "this growing list of policies".
"This is simply the shuffling around of existing departmental budgets," they added. James Barber, from the disabled-led charity Transport for All, called it a "real win for disabled people" and "very welcome news". He said it would also help to put an end to "the confusing and unjust postcode lottery caused by different rules in different areas".
Kurtis Crossthorn from Sheffield, who is registered blind, said the change would be "very welcome" and would make many disabled people feel "relieved" and "heard". "Disabled people need to get to work and need to live their life as well," he added, describing buses as a "lifeline" particularly for those in community who cannot drive. The new changes will come into force on 1 April.
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