Weston residents with disabilities to get 24/7 free bus travel
It's under new plans announced by Labour
People with disabilites, across North Somerset, will be able to travel free on local buses all day, every day, from April 2027, under new plans, announced by the Labour government.
Weston-super-Mare MP, Dan Aldridge, has welcomed the announcement, after his ongoing campaigning for better support and greater accessibility.
The new plans will remove the current time restrictions on disability concessionary bus passes across England. From 1 April 2027, eligible disabled bus pass holders will be able to use their passes for free bus travel, regardless of the time of day.
The government is providing £60 million, to remove the restrictions and end the postcode lottery, which currently means those with disabilities can have different rights, depending on where they live.
The issue of the postcode lottery has been one Dan Aldridge has been working to resolve, arguing that disabled people should have the same access to essential public transport regardless of their postcode.
The move follows a previous North Somerset scheme, which provided 24/7 free bus travel, between April 2025 and March 2026. The new national scheme will provide a consistent approach, across England, from April 2027.
Dan Aldridge MP said: “I’ve been campaigning for disabled people and for a fairer system that gives people the support they need, wherever they live.
“The postcode lottery has been something I’ve been working on to resolve because I don’t think the support you receive should depend on which side of a council boundary you live on.
“We’ve seen in North Somerset how valuable 24/7 free bus travel can be. For disabled people, being able to get on a bus when you need it can make the difference between getting to work, attending an appointment, accessing education or simply staying connected with friends and family.
“Nobody should have a bus pass in their pocket that they can’t use when they actually need it. I’m really pleased that Labour is now taking action to end this postcode lottery and make 24/7 free bus travel available to disabled people across England.
“This is about more than saving money. It is about independence, opportunity and making sure disabled people can participate fully in their communities.”
The government says the change will help disabled people access employment, education, training, healthcare and other opportunities, while reducing the cost of travelling.
The announcement forms part of wider Government action, to make buses more affordable and reliable, including the planned £2 bus fare cap throughout 2027, free local bus travel for children aged five to 15 during August this year and measures to give local leaders greater control over bus services.
Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, said: “Buses are a lifeline for so many people - making it easier to get to work, education and healthcare. It’s simply not right that many disabled people cannot travel using their pass during certain times of the day. So we’re fixing that. Disabled people will now have unlimited free bus travel 24/7.
“I did it before, in Greater Manchester and I’m proud to do it now, for the whole country. This is part of our ongoing action, to bring back hope and give people some much needed breathing space on the cost of living.”
The government has also announced £3.5 billion of investment in tailored employment support for people with disabilities and those with health conditions, aimed at helping people access jobs, training and opportunities.
For residents in Weston and across North Somerset, the new national scheme will mean that from April 2027, their concessionary bus pass can be used, without weekday time restrictions.