Disabled Shropshire residents to get free bus travel around the clock
Disabled concessionary pass holders will be able to travel free at any time from April 2027 under new national rules
A Shropshire MP has welcomed plans to allow disabled concessionary bus pass holders to travel free at any time of day, seven days a week.
The change is due to come into effect in April 2027, removing the current restriction which means free travel is generally unavailable before 9.30am on weekdays.
Shrewsbury MP Julia Buckley said the move would help disabled people access work, training, healthcare and other services, as well as supporting the local economy.
She described the current arrangements as an "unfair postcode lottery", with people in some parts of the country already benefiting from more flexible concessionary travel.
Ms Buckley said: "This is really great news. The change means disabled concessionary bus pass holders will be able to travel free on local bus services where the pass applies at any time of day or night."
The announcement has also been welcomed by charity Mencap, which highlighted the additional financial pressures often faced by disabled people.
Ms Buckley said she was also looking at how concessionary bus travel could be made more flexible for residents travelling to and from Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
She has written to Shropshire Council, Arriva Buses and the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust to ask them to explore options that would allow pensioners and disabled residents to access early morning healthcare without being disadvantaged by existing travel restrictions.
She said the issue would also be raised through her Shrewsbury Transport Integration Group (STIG), which brings local partners together to discuss improvements to transport.
Ms Buckley added: "When local partners work together, we can really improve local bus services. And better transport means better access to healthcare, work and opportunity."