I rely on buses to get to and from work every day in West Yorkshire. In June 2021, I survived a stroke. Due to this, I had to stop driving. I have since relied on the local bus services. I was happy to find out I was eligible for a disabled person’s bus pass as it would save me a lot of money, but quickly found out (the first day I used it) the pass is only valid between 9.30 am - 11 pm.

Like most people in office based jobs, I need to be on the bus before 9am in order to get to work on time. Because concessionary travel isn’t valid until 9:30, I’ve spent £500 in two years even though I have a bus pass. 

Over 1 in 5 people in the UK are disabled. In July 2021, Gov UK released a segment titled ‘Jobs/Transport: National Disability Strategy explained’, which outlined the ways in which they wanted the world of work more inclusive & accessible and improving the accessibility and experience of everyday journeys. Essentially encouraging those who still are able & want to work with disabilities - but what’s the point of offering bus passes that aren’t even valid at peak times when people are travelling for work?

Many disabled people face obstacles to working, due directly to their disabilities. This limits the range of jobs they can even consider doing. Some people who are disabled face additional obstacles to working because they're prohibited from driving. They may have to take lower paid jobs closer to home, or only work part time. Allowing disabled people to travel on buses for free at any time would help disabled people to work, by encouraging them to travel further to work.

The Government sets the statutory times of use, but disabled people in London are allowed to travel before 9:30am. It's not fair for people to less rights, independence, and mobility just because they don't live in the capital. Join me by calling on them to show they’re serious about supporting disabled people in employment by allowing bus passes to be used before 9:30 in the morning, so that I and thousands of other disabled people are able to get to work and participate in the labour market.