Free bus travel now available all day for disabled residents in North Somerset

People in North Somerset with an eligible disability can now travel for free on local buses at any time of day, every day of the week. This includes peak busy travel times.

The change means that disabled bus pass holders no longer need to wait until after 9am on weekdays to travel for free. The aim is to make it easier for people who are disabled to get to work, appointments, education, and social events. 

The enhanced travel benefit will run from the start of April until 31 March 2026. 

The new 24/7 free travel option is a joint initiative of North Somerset Council and the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority. It covers bus journeys that start in North Somerset, Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, or South Gloucestershire. It applies to most local bus services and operators, including Big Lemon, First Bus (including metrobus services), Park & Ride services and WESTlink. 

The improvement is being funded through the region’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), which is working to make local bus travel better and more accessible for everyone. 

Cllr Hannah Young, Executive Member for Highways and Transport at North Somerset Council, said: "I’m delighted that through national government grant support we are able to make this offer to make it easier for disabled people to use our local public transport network. No action is needed by passholders; the change will be applied automatically with users now able to enjoy free travel before 9am. Putting in place free bus travel available across the whole day, means that residents who are disabled in North Somerset can make use of any of the services they may need and enjoy.” 

For more information about the scheme and the application process to get a disabled persons travelcard, visit: Disabled and older person's travelcards - WEST