Bristol City Council has announced it will extend all-day free bus travel for disabled residents from 6 April 2025. Just last month, however, Bath & North East Somerset (BANES) rejected this idea, claiming it wasn’t possible—and even criticised Green councillors for proposing it. Now, the BANES Green councillors are demanding the council rethink its position and extend free bus travel for disabled people before 9 AM.
Bristol’s decision proves it is possible. By working with the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and bus operators, Bristol has shown this change can be implemented successfully. If Bristol can make it work, why can’t BANES?
In February, Green councillors proposed lifting the unfair restriction that stops disabled people from using their free bus passes before 9 AM. Many rely on public transport for work, education, and essential appointments, and this restriction limits their opportunities. A similar initiative in Warwickshire benefited 22% of disabled pass holders and saw over 12,000 early-morning journeys in just seven months, improving access to jobs, education, and services while reducing reliance on costly alternatives.
At the BANES budget meeting, the Cabinet Member for Resources stated:
“The proposal for extended free bus travel for disabled people before 9:00 a.m. is actually a national scheme. The Liberal Democrat MP for Frome and East Somerset recently wrote to the government minister about this issue. Funding should be sought from central government, not local council resources.”
However, Bristol’s Green administration—having been in power for just one year—has successfully demonstrated that local councils can influence transport strategy through collaborating with the combined authority. Meanwhile, the BANES Liberal Democrats, who have held power for six years, continue to shift responsibility onto WECA, despite the fact they comprise WECA. The Liberal Democrats’ reluctance to act is in stark contrast to the forward-thinking actions of our neighbours, and highlights the failure of local leadership within BANES.
BANES must not fall behind other authorities on accessibility. The Green councillor group’s proposal aligns with the council’s own goals of social inclusion. The council needs to work with WECA and bus operators to ensure disabled residents in BANES have the same opportunities as those in Bristol.