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Disabled bus pass holders across England will get free bus travel all day, every day from 1 April next year as government looks to improve access to workplaces, learning and life opportunities while easing the cost of living.

Currently, disabled bus passes are only valid for travel between 9:30am and 11pm during weekdays, unless local authorities choose to fund an extension.

For example, Greater Manchester Combined Authority permanently lifted the time restrictions from March this year.

Backed by £60 million of funding, the government is now stepping in to remove these time restrictions across the whole of England.

A total of £40 million will come from the Department for Work and Pensions, and £20 million from the Department for Transport.

Eligibility for a disabled person’s bus pass is set out in the Transport Act 2000, which defines seven statutory categories of disability.

Local authorities are responsible for administering the scheme and for assessing applications against these statutory criteria.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “We are making this change because we’ve listened to disabled people, and we know the importance of buses to local communities.

“These passes are a lifeline for so many, helping them stay connected and get to work and appointments, and it’s only right they receive the same treatment, no matter their postcode.”