From next April, residents of England will have to wait an additional year to receive their complimentary bus pass.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed the move, despite significant campaigning efforts. Campaigners are pushing for parity with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in terms of concessionary travel benefits.
While these nations offer free bus travel from the age of 60, English citizens must wait until they reach the state pension age, which is due to rise from 66 to 67 next April, reports the Express.
This age will then further increase to 68 between 2044 and 2046.
The Pensions Act 2014 expedited the State Pension age, and the Government also modified the phasing of this increase. Consequently, individuals born between 6 March 1961 and 5 April 1977 will be eligible to claim the state pension and their concessionary bus passes at 67, as per the DfT's guidelines.
The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme provides free off-peak bus journeys to those with qualifying disabilities and those who have reached the state pension age. These journeys can be taken between 9.30am and 11pm on weekdays, weekends and Bank Holidays.
Certain local authorities, such as London and Merseyside, have the option to fund free bus passes independently. They may also choose to lower the age of eligibility within their jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, a substantial petition on the Parliament website advocating for free bus travel for over-60s in England has attracted more than 100,000 signatures. This could place pressure on Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to explore potential reforms.
The petition says: "We call on the Government to extend free bus travel to all people over 60 years old in England outside London. We believe the current situation is unjust and we want equality for everyone over 60.
"Currently, people in England who do not live in London are not entitled to free bus travel until they reach the state pension age, which we believe has changed dramatically. As people get older some over-60s drive less and less, therefore we believe we need equality on public transport. It would mean England had the same provision as Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland."
Responding to the petition, the DfT stated: "The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme costs around £700 million annually. Any changes to the statutory scheme must be carefully considered for their impact on its financial sustainability.
"At the Budget on October 30, the government confirmed a £1 billion boost for buses, of which £712 million has been allocated to local authorities to support and improve bus services. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services for passengers can be used in whichever way they wish. This could include extending the discretionary concessions available in the local area.
"Concessionary travel is a devolved policy area and as such, the eligibility age for the bus pass differs between the devolved nations of the United Kingdom. This means, in effect, that there are different schemes in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so the administrative arrangements are entirely separate."