Andy Burnham Free Bus Pass
July 21, 2026
We’ve sent this open letter to the new Prime Minister,
We’ve sent this open letter to the new Prime Minister,
Disabled people in the North East told us everyday life is still too hard.
77 people shared their experiences.
Many said: Transport is unreliable or inaccessible! There are not enough accessible toilets! Services are confusing and stressful! Workplaces and buildings exclude them! They are treated without respect!
People want to be listened to and involved in decisions that affect their lives.
Access should not be optional. Everyone deserves to get around, use services, work, and be treated with dignity.
Read the full report to learn more and get involved.
We are making progress in our campaign for fair and accessible travel. After we asked for change, Mary Kelly Foy MP confirmed she supports all of our actions. She will follow this up, and we will share updates soon. The North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, has also responded positively and is looking at our proposal.
This campaign is about disabled people’s real lives. Many people cannot travel when they need to. One member, Delta, shared how limited bus times and high taxi costs leave her feeling trapped. Fair travel would help disabled people live more independent lives.
Minister Responds All-Day Bus Access: The Fight for All-Day Bus
Read about how we are trying to make it easier for disabled people to use buses.
Here are 5 ideas that can make transport better for disabled people. so that they can travel more easily.
People in Stockton-on-Tees met in May 2025 to share their experiences of disability and everyday life.
They talked about transport problems, with very few accessible taxis and buses that do not always provide clear information.
Shops and public places were often hard to use, with not enough Blue Badge parking or mobility equipment available.
Many people described stressful benefits assessments and systems that make them fight for support.
They also spoke about losing jobs, rebuilding confidence, and finding strength through community.
The group wants practical changes and to be involved in decisions, so access is designed with disabled people, not without them.
Hartlepool disability rights – Direct summary of community experiences from
People met in Gateshead in May 2025 to talk about what life is like for disabled people.
Even getting to the meeting was hard because of transport, parking and access problems.
People shared stories about taxis refusing help, confusing signs, and public transport that is difficult to use.
They said services often expect everyone to use phones or read complex information, which does not work for many people.
Workplaces are not flexible, and support like Access to Work comes too late.
They want simple changes, better understanding, and more disabled people involved in decisions, so everyone can live well.
Have you ever felt left out of decisions that shape your everyday life? At Difference North East, we’re all about changing that. That’s why we recently ran an “On the Table” event for the Community Foundation’s Vital Signs report. This event brought disabled people together to share their experiences and talk about ways to make life fairer and more accessible. Here’s what we learned—and why you should join us to make your voice heard.