The Department does not understand why elderly and disabled people are using buses far less than they used to. The Department could not adequately explain to us why elderly and disabled people have not returned to buses to the same extent as other passengers since the pandemic. The number of concessionary journeys is still 29% lower than in 2019–20. This is much further from pre-pandemic levels than for fare paying passenger journeys, which we heard are nearly at pre-COVID levels. Despite an ageing population and more people being eligible, take-up for concessionary bus passes has fallen. The Department has not identified to what extent elderly and disabled people have chosen to change their travel patterns or whether the barriers that make bus travel difficult for these groups have increased. The Department needs a better understanding of the accessibility of the bus network, and a greater sense of urgency around improving accessibility. recommendation a. The Department should, within six months, write to the committee setting out the specific barriers preventing elderly and disabled passengers getting back on buses and its plans to address them. b. The Department should work with local transport authorities to promote the uptake of concessionary passes.