THE qualifying age for a bus pass may rise, as the Government battles a £10 million funding gap.

In the face of soaring costs, SNP ministers are considering a move to increase the eligibility age for the popular concessionary travel scheme.

A public consultation on the move will get under way later this year, but it is understood current holders of the free bus pass will be unaffected.

Around 200,000 people between the ages of 60 and 65 now have a free bus pass, with many people who have retired early enjoying the benefits of the card.

Last month, a £10m black hole in the funding for the bus pass scheme was revealed in the Scottish government’s draft budget.

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “Free travel for Scotland’s older people and disabled people on local or Scottish long-distance buses will continue, through the National Entitlement Card, which we remain absolutely committed to.

“We will be consulting with stakeholders on ways to protect the long-term sustainability of the National Concessionary Travel Scheme.”

There are 131,604 male free bus pass holders in Scotland aged 60 to 65, while there are 99,501 females between the age of 60 and 63.

The bus pass scheme was launched 11 years ago with actress Una McLean.

The SNP’s 2016 Holyrood manifesto said free travel would continue for older people but didn’t mention the eligibility age.

However, the SNP’s programme for government unveiled last year stated it would “examine options to safeguard the longer-term sustainability of the concessionary travel scheme.”