Disabled Bus Pass Time Restrictions Scrapped After Almost Two-year Long Campaign By Tom Gordon MP
The Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough had been due to force a second Commons vote on the change this September
The new Burnham Government adopts campaign policy of Tom Gordon just weeks before the MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough was due to force a second Commons vote on it - a huge win for campaigners.
Under the current rules, disabled pass holders in most of England cannot travel free before 9.30am on weekdays, in some areas including North Yorkshire the time restriction kicks in at 9am. Mr Gordon has argued these time restrictions make it harder to get to work, education, hospital appointments and drop off children at school.
Mr Gordon was due to table a Ten-Minute Rule Bill when Parliament returns in September, which would have forced MPs to vote on the issue for the second time in two years. In September 2025, MPs - including Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport - voted against his amendment to the Bus Services Bill to the same effect.
In December 2025, Tom hosted a roundtable in Parliament attended by Andy Burnham, the then Mayor of Greater Manchester implemented the policy soon after.
The campaign began after a constituency event with the charity Disability Action, where the 9am restriction across North Yorkshire was raised with Tom during a Q&A.
Since then the MP has brought both an adjournment debate, raised the issue in Westminster Hall debates, pressured Ministers at Transport questions, launched a petition to Parliament, and met the Bus Minister, Simon Lightwood, to argue the case.
Tom said:
“Disabilities don’t start at 9 o’clock, neither should disabled bus passes and soon enough they won’t. This is a huge win for the disabled community.
"This is the culmination of two years of campaigning, and it belongs to the disabled people in Harrogate, Knaresborough and across the country who told me what these restrictions posed financial and physical barriers.
“A bus pass you can't use at peak time isn't much use if your shift, your appointment or your lecture starts at nine.
“Disability Action Yorkshire, Waterside Changemakers, Transport For All, Whizz Kids, Labour, Conservative, Green and countless Liberal Democrat MPs and Councillors have all campaigned for this.
Jackie Snape, Chief Executive of Disability Action Yorkshire said:
“We are absolutely delighted to hear that the time restrictions on bus passes for disabled people are to be removed.
“This will make such a difference to disabled people needing to use public transport for work, education, appointments - and getting on with life in general.
“We are indebted to Tom Gordon MP who has fought to have this changed with such compassion and tenacity since hearing first hand from local disabled people how this has adversely affected their lives. What an amazing result!”
