Labour MP Abtisam Mohamed has called on the UK Government to consider offering unpaid carers free travel on public transport, while another urged the Department for Transport to extend free travel at peak times.

Liberal Democrat MP Will Forster called on the Department for Transport to evaluate the “potential merits of extending the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme to peak travel times”. Meanwhile, Green Party MP Siân Berry questioned whether there are plans to “carry out a review of the eligibility criteria for bus passes for disabled people,” says Lancs.Live.

Sheffield Central MP Ms Mohamed believes helping carers could ‘improve access to essential services and promote inclusivity for disabled people and those with chronic illnesses’. She also asked the Department for Transport if it would “make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing carers to accompany those they care for to travel free of charge on public transport”. In response, Transport Minister Simon Lightwood explained that the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) “provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of State Pension age (66)”.

He added: “The ENCTS costs around £700 million annually and any changes to the statutory obligations, such as extending the eligibility criteria, would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability.”

He concluded by saying: “An assessment has not been made of the potential impact of free travel for carers, however, local authorities in England have the power to go beyond their statutory obligations under the ENCTS and offer additional discretionary concessions, such as offering companion passes for those travelling with someone eligible for the ENCTS.”