On August the 21st 2026 I wrote the Minister of State for Buses and Local Transport, Simon Lightwood MP at the Department for Transport about my concerns the surrounding the idea of opening up the times when concessionary bus passes can be used by disabled passengers in rural parts of the united kingdom.
In my letter I recalled that ” However, in practice the idea of opening up the times the scheme can be used will work in the bigger cities of Greater Manchester, London or Birmingham because of there being more regular bus services in those places for residents to make the most of “.
” Unfortunately, in rural counties like Herefordshire this scheme won’t work because local bus services stop operating for the day at around 6pm, there is not the need for services to continue operating after this time of day in Herefordshire hence why they don’t”.
” Our county needs a more accessible stock of buses than we currently have, in recent years I have seen firsthand as a wheelchair user who relies on public transport like buses to get around my hometown independently, how inaccessible the current stock is for disabled people, there have been several occasions where I have been left at stops by drivers because there is either another wheelchair or multiple buggies already onboard”.
Last month I received a response from the Minister with regards to the concerns I raised saying, ” accessible travel for disabled people is one of the departments highest priorities, we recognise the importance of receiving a consistently inclusive service when travelling, and of being able to travel easily, confidently and with dignity.”
” From April 1, people who hold a disabled person’s bus pass will be able travel on buses for free, no matter the time of day. Currently, disabled bus passes are only valid for travel from 9:30 am to 11pm during weekdays, unless local authorities choose to fund an extension”.
” We’re stepping into remove these time restrictions across the whole of England, so that from next year, disabled bus pass holders can travel for free whenever they need, where they live – opening up access to jobs, education, training, and other opportunities.
” We note your support for the scheme but also understand your concern about the accessibility of buses in your area”.
” The Department is also developing an accessible travel charter. The charter will set clear shared expectations for how transport operators and local authorities improve accessibility for disabled people. With commitments framed around real-world outcomes, the charter will set out what disabled people can reasonably expect from transport services. We expect to launch the charter by the end of 2026″.
” I recognise the vital importance of local bus services in helping disabled people to make the journeys important in their lives, but also of the challenge that wheelchair users in particular face accessing services. In 2017 the supreme court found that drivers should do more than just asking passengers to move from the wheelchair space when a wheelchair user requires it, and many operators have rightly put in place procedures to ensure this happens in practice”.
” I would encourage you to contact your local bus operator to understand the steps they are taking to support access to the statutory wheelchair space for those who need it” added the Minister.
He went onto conclude his response by saying, ” We also recognise the value of a second wheelchair space in enabling wheelchair users to travel together, or to provide sufficient space to enable both wheelchair and pushchair users to reach their destinations”.
” Government investment in zero emission buses required vehicles with a capacity of greater than 22 passengers to be fitted with either a second wheelchair space or flexible area. More recently in March 2026, the uk bus manufacturing expert panel secured agreement from Mayoral Combined Authorities on a set of commitments, which included adopting standards and driving continuous improvement on accessible and inclusive zero emission bus design. In the meantime, we would encourage operators to provide additional space for wheelchair users on vehicles wherever possible”.
” More broadly, the government is clear that bus services should work better for disabled people. The Bus Services Act 2005 included a number of measures to help make this possible, including mandatory disability assistance training for bus drivers, new statutory guidance on the safety and accessibility of bus stations ands stops, due for publication towards the end of 2026, and a requirement for all Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) to produce Bus Network Accessibility Plans, setting out their assessment of existing bus network accessibility and any steps they intend to take to improve it”
To say that I feel very assured by the Ministers response to my concerns around this issue is an understatement, hopefully the bus operators across Herefordshire will begin to understand that we as a disabled bus passengers have every right to use this mode of transport whilst trying to keep some independence within everyday life.
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It is only right that I take this opportunity to thank the bus drivers in our beautiful county who do always ensure those with disabilities board safely and travel by bus to there desired destination, your support in achieving this goal does not go unnoticed and is of course very much appreciated and always will be.
Finally, thank you to each and everyone of you my regular loyal readers and social media followers who continually take the time out of your busy schedules to read my latest posts, it does not go unnoticed and is of course very much appreciated and always will be.
Cam
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