Plymouth bus passes for disabled brought in line with Cornwall - as rules 'no longer stop at the Tamar'
The Government announcement impacts round 5,000 people
Almost 5,000 disabled bus pass holders in Plymouth are to get 24/7 bus travel from April 2027 - bringing the city in line with residents in Cornwall and ending the current provision 'stopping at the Tamar'.
Fred Thomas, MP for Plymouth Moor View, Anna Gelderd, MP for South East Cornwall, and Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, all say this is 'an issue they hear regularly from constituents' as they welcome the Government's announcement.
Around 4,750 people in Plymouth hold a disabled concessionary bus pass. Fred Thomas MP had previously raised the issue directly with Transport Ministers, sharing 'constituent concerns about the inconsistent support available to disabled passengers'.
He said: "Passes issued in Cornwall already offer free travel at any time, but that flexibility currently stops at the Tamar, meaning those heading into Plymouth for appointments at Derriford Hospital, work or college can still be caught out by the time restriction once they cross over. From April, that barrier will no longer exist.
"For too long, disabled people in Plymouth have been let down by a system that penalises them for travelling at certain times of day. A disabled bus pass is meant to guarantee accessible local travel, not come with a hidden cost if you happen to have an early medical appointment or a morning shift.
"Removing this restriction strips away an unnecessary burden for over 4,700 pass holders in Plymouth and ensures that arbitrary boundaries don't stand in the way of people travelling freely. I'm pleased to see the government deliver another sensible fix that puts public transport back on the side of local residents."
Anna Gelderd, MP for South East Cornwall, who also welcomes the announcement, said: "Many of us in South East Cornwall rely on public transport and buses to access essential services in Plymouth and further up country, whether that's a hospital appointment, school or work. Extending free bus travel hours across the country means disabled people can make those journeys without facing an additional cost, which will make a real difference to family budgets.
"Disabled bus passes should help people to access opportunities, not act as a barrier. There's much more to do to make public transport affordable and accessible, but alongside the £2 bus fare cap and free bus travel for 5 to 15 year olds in England throughout August, this Labour Government is helping to support local people with the cost of public transport."
Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said: "Currently, over 4,700 folks in Plymouth with disabled bus passes can only use them between 9:30am and 11pm, which simply isn't good enough. I've spoken to people with disabilities in Plymouth who have told me just how much this impacts them. If you need to get to work or school, see friends or family, you shouldn't be forced to delay your life until after 9:30am, it isn't fair, and that is why we are fixing it.
"This will mean more money in your pocket, it will give greater opportunities to people with disabilities, and it will help ensure that our community stays connected. And it is on top of the £2 bus cap and a whole host of other new measures to make public transport more affordable that the Labour government are introducing to bring back hope and give you a bit more space to breathe on the cost of living."
Backed by £60 million of funding, the change brings free bus travel into line across the whole of England, giving disabled people some breathing space on the cost of living regardless of the area they live in. It sits alongside other recent government action to make buses more affordable, including capping fares at £2 and implementing free bus travel for 5 to 15 year olds throughout August.