The Transport Act 2000 (or for those resident in London, the Greater London Authority Act 1999) makes provision for concessionary travel for a wide range of disabled people including people with severe learning disabilities. We have no plans at present to change the eligibility criteria for statutory concessionary bus travel to include people with mental health illnesses. Local authorities retain the ability to offer discretionary concessions over and above the statutory minimum at their own expense. This can include offering concessionary travel to other categories of people, such as those with mental health problems.
Our current focus is on the successful implementation of the new all-England off-peak bus travel concession from April this year. Any changes to the scope of the statutory minimum concession, such as extending the eligibility criteria, would significantly increase the number of people eligible for concessionary travel at any time and would have to be fully funded. The impacts would need to be considered carefully following consultation with all the interested parties.