Whizz Kidz welcomes government move to end 'postcode lottery' on disabled bus passes
Whizz Kidz welcomes the government's announcement that all disabled people in England will benefit from 24/7 free bus travel
Whizz Kidz, the UK's leading charity for young wheelchair users, has today welcomed the government's announcement that all disabled people in England will benefit from 24/7 free bus travel, a change the charity's Youth Board has long campaigned for.
The announcement removes long-standing restrictions that prevented many disabled people from using their bus passes during peak hours.
Whizz Kidz's landmark 2024 Beyond Fare report, led by its Youth Board of young wheelchair users, revealed that only 22 local authority areas in England allowed disabled people to use their bus pass at any time of day. The remaining areas operated time-of-day restrictions, effectively locking disabled young people out of travel to work, education and essential appointments during the hours they needed it most.
Today's announcement removes that postcode lottery.
A win for youth-led campaigning
Sarah Pugh, Chief Executive of Whizz Kidz, said:
"We welcome the government's decision to remove restrictions on disabled bus passes. The Whizz Kidz Youth Board has been calling for these changes through their influential Beyond Fare report, and we are encouraged to see government listening to young wheelchair users. We will continue to work alongside young wheelchair users to work towards a more accessible transport system, shaped by young wheelchair users.”
Rue, member of the Whizz Kidz Youth Board, said:
"It's good to see the government listening to young wheelchair users. Removing these restrictions will make a real difference, allowing us to access work, education and daily life. We look forward to continuing to advocate for a truly accessible bus network, so that even more young wheelchair users can benefit from changes like this."
More work to do
While today's announcement marks a major milestone, Whizz Kidz will continue to campaign for wider improvements and work towards a more accessible transport system - a key priority of the charity's Youth Board.