Bus Users UK has responded to the Government’s announcements on ‘Pathways to Work’ with a call for urgent reform of the concessionary bus pass scheme in order to remove barriers to employment.
Transport, particularly bus travel, is a critical gateway to opportunity, connecting people to jobs, training and essential services. To ensure transport is more accessible to those seeking work, Bus Users UK is calling for the following reforms:
• Concessionary travel at peak times – many disabled people are excluded from early morning travel due to restrictions, making it difficult to commute to work or to access the education and training necessary to secure employment.
• Standardised disabled bus pass scheme and application process – this is essential across all local authorities to ensure equitable access rather than the current inconsistent and patchwork approach.
• Improved awareness and understanding of concessionary entitlements – confusion around eligibility and inconsistent enforcement creates stress and uncertainty for passengers, discouraging use and limiting opportunities.
Research consistently shows the cost-of-living to be higher for disabled than non-disabled people, averaging an additional £583 per month according to the Extra Costs Commission. Reliable, accessible transport is one of the most effective ways to level the playing field and mitigate against this ‘disability price tag’, enabling disabled people to live independently and participate fully in society.
Bus Users UK Director for England, Lydia Horbury, commented: “If we are to create a truly inclusive society, access to transport must be at the heart of reform. Without it, disabled people will continue to face disproportionate challenges in securing and maintaining employment. We urge policymakers to take meaningful steps towards a fairer and more effective concessionary travel scheme – one that empowers and enables people rather than holding them back.”
