A big Lib Dem win for disabled people

19 Aug 2026

Today, we’re celebrating a big Lib Dem win for disabled people - from April, disabled persons' bus passes will finally be valid at any time of day.

Free local bus travel is a vital lifeline for many disabled people. But, currently, these bus passes are only valid for travel on weekdays from 9.30am to 11pm, unless local authorities fund an extension.

After an almost two-year campaign, we are delighted that the Government has finally listened - agreeing to remove these impractical restrictions next year.

Disabilities don’t start at 9.30am, and neither should disabled bus passes.

Disabled people are disproportionately reliant on public transport to access work, healthcare and education. A bus pass you can't use at peak time isn't much use if your shift, your appointment or your lecture starts at 9.30am.

At a time when the cost-of-living is going through the roof, these restrictions place a terrible strain on the finances of disabled people - who already face higher living costs compared to the rest of society.

This change is such a simple and effective step to improve accessibility - something that is long overdue.

Last September, our MP Tom Gordon tabled an amendment to the Bus Services Bill to correct these absurd time restrictions. It was shocking that Labour voted that amendment down, while the Conservatives whipped their MPs to abstain.

But he and other hardworking campaigners didn’t give up.

In December, Tom hosted a roundtable in Parliament on the subject, which Andy Burnham attended. Soon after, he implemented the policy in Manchester.

Now, as Tom was planning to force a second Commons vote on the change this September, Andy Burnham is finally implementing the change across England.

This victory belongs to the disabled people across the country who shared their stories with me about the financial and physical barriers these restrictions imposed.

Today, we celebrate a vital step in making our country a fairer place to live.