Age of eligibility for free bus passes is set to rise in Wales from 60 to state pension age

The age at which people become eligible for free bus passes is set to rise from 60 to the state pension age, the Welsh Government has confirmed.

Under the current system, people aged 60 and over in Wales can travel for free on local buses with a concessionary bus pass.

But that is set to change under a proposed new law, which will see people having to wait until they reach state pension age - currently 65, but set to increase to 67 by 2028.

The Welsh Government says anyone who holds a free bus pass at the time the changes to the law are made will be "completely unaffected".

A spokesperson said: "Changes to the eligibility age will be phased in and we will ensure that universal entitlement is retained".

But the Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Heléna Herklots, said she was concerned that the changes could have "a significant impact on many older people throughout Wales".

She told ITV Wales: "It seems that the Welsh Government has not yet fully considered what the impact of its proposed changes will be, or what action should be put in place to mitigate this impact. I therefore oppose the Welsh Government’s proposals and would urge them to reconsider".