In the UK, people over the age of 66 do not receive discounts on public transportation

By TravelWiseFeb 18, 2024 10:10 AMNews
Share:
In the UK, people over the age of 66 do not receive discounts on public transportation
It is not yet known whether pensioners are entitled to free travel. Source: Photo: Pixabay

In the UK, individuals aged 66 and over may not be eligible for free public transportation. Despite calls for the introduction of travel privileges, the government denies working on a national scheme.

Currently, pensioners residing in London can apply for a Freedom Pass, allowing them to use local buses from 9:30 to 23:00 on weekdays and throughout the day on weekends. This information is reported by the Daily Express.

It is noted that the "Freedom Pass" can be utilized outside London, but this decision rests with local authorities. Consequently, the country grapples with the absence of a unified travel ticket covering the entire nation.

Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell raised this issue in Parliament and directed it to the Secretary of State for Transport. In response, Roads Minister Guy Opperman affirmed that legislation permits "mutual recognition" of travel cards. However, he acknowledged having "no plans" to consider a broader scheme.

"Concessionary travel is a devolved policy area, so the administrative arrangements in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland differ from those in England. The Concessionary Travel on Public Transport Act 2007 provides for the potential of mutual recognition of concessionary bus passes across the UK through future regulations, but there are currently no plans to introduce such a mechanism," stated Guy Opperman.

Currently, it is known that the petition initiated by Charles David Smith, urging the introduction of discounted travel cards, has garnered over 2300 signatures from concerned citizens. It is mentioned that to elicit a government response on this matter, the petition's author needs to amass the requisite 10,000 signatures.

Top Articles
Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Oct 16, 2025 16:22 PM
Smartphone with eSIM logo surrounded by travel essentials like flowers, map, camera, and sunglasses

Where to Buy eSIM at the Best Price: A Full Review of Tariffs and Options

Aug 8, 2025 10:54 AM

No More SIM Swaps: The eSIM Travel Solution You’ll Actually Use

Aug 4, 2025 16:51 PM

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
More News
Crowd holding Italian flags during a demonstration

Italy Braces for Nationwide Aviation Strike on 16 February

Feb 11, 2026 20:41 PM
Stranded traveller sitting at airport with suitcase after flight cancellation

Cuba Flights Halted as Fuel Shortage Disrupts Winter Plans

Feb 11, 2026 20:38 PM

Iberia Tightens Luggage Checks With New Fines at Airports

Feb 11, 2026 19:05 PM

Frankfurt Gets a New Short-Haul Player

Feb 11, 2026 18:42 PM
Passengers boarding a Ryanair aircraft on the apron

Ryanair Flags OTA Price Gaps in February Survey

Feb 11, 2026 18:39 PM
Wizz Air aircraft on the apron during ground operations

Wizz Air Rolls Out Extra Space Without Changing Its Cabin

Feb 11, 2026 14:06 PM
Passenger aircraft approaching a snowy mountain airport

Winter Trips Can Fail Before Take-off

Feb 11, 2026 10:43 AM
Air France widebody aircraft approaching landing

Paris–New York Gets Busier in Summer 2026

Feb 11, 2026 10:37 AM
WestJet Boeing 737 departing on a Canadian domestic route

WestJet Adds New Domestic Links as Summer 2026 Network Grows

Feb 11, 2026 10:24 AM

Spain’s Rail Strike Ends Early as Services Resume Nationwide

Feb 11, 2026 10:11 AM

Zurich Airport Becomes a Dancefloor

Feb 10, 2026 08:08 AM
Widebody aircraft positioned on the apron at Lisbon Airport terminal

Lisbon’s New Airport Project Moves Forward After Decades

Feb 10, 2026 07:55 AM
Coastal view of Antalya on the Turkish Riviera

Berlin–Antalya Flights Return With a Valentine’s Giveaway

Feb 10, 2026 07:42 AM
Wizz Air aircraft operating a short-haul European flight

Katowice Gets a New Adriatic Link for Summer

Feb 9, 2026 22:59 PM
Emirates aircraft operating long-haul routes

Why Families Keep Booking Emirates Economy

Feb 9, 2026 22:46 PM

Condor Adds a Winter Detour to Southern China

Feb 9, 2026 22:33 PM

EU border checks go digital with new travel app

Feb 8, 2026 17:27 PM
Aer Lingus Airbus A320 on the runway

Aer Lingus tightens ID rules on UK flights

Feb 8, 2026 17:04 PM
Air Transat Airbus A330 approaching for landing

Direct Canada–Rio flights land this winter

Feb 8, 2026 16:51 PM
easyJet aircraft on the runway

EasyJet maps out winter sun winners for 2026

Feb 7, 2026 12:28 PM
LOT Polish Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 taking off

Gdańsk–Kraków flights return for summer 2026

Feb 7, 2026 12:15 PM
Emirates aircraft departing on long-haul service

Emirates Adds Second Daily Narita Flight from May 2026

Feb 7, 2026 12:02 PM

Cape Verde Travel Linked to Reported Infection Cases

Feb 7, 2026 11:49 AM

TAP Adds São Luis to Brazil Network with New Lisbon Route

Feb 7, 2026 11:26 AM
Icelandair aircraft parked at the gate

Icelandair Picks Gdańsk for First Polish Route

Feb 6, 2026 02:53 AM
European Union flags flying outside EU institutions

EU Confirms €20 ETIAS Charge for Visa-Free Travellers

Feb 6, 2026 02:47 AM