Age UK, the charity that represents the interests of Britain’s older generations, has expressed its firm opposition to any suggestion that Londoners should lose their Freedom Pass concessionary travel.
On the buses: the societal benefits of providing travel passes outweigh the costs, according to Age UK
The Freedom Pass provides free travel on all Transport for London services and national rail services within Greater London (except during the morning rush hour).
The Freedom Pass is paid for by Croydon and the other 31 London boroughs and the City of London Corporation out of parking permit fees and traffic fines, but in the next financial year, 2026-2027, its cost will hit £372million – up by almost 12%.
More than 1.2million Londoners have Freedom Passes. London Councils, the umbrella organisation for the 33 councils in the capital, has estimated that they will be paying for 279million journeys from April – 221million on the buses and 44.7million on the Tube.
Options could include increasing the age at which Londoners receive the Freedom Pass, making it means-tested or excluding national rail services within Greater London.
“Age UK London are opposed to any cuts or changes to the Freedom Pass,” the charity said.
“Age UK London believes that any cuts or changes to either the Freedom Pass or the 60+ Oyster will significantly impact many older Londoners.”
And Age UK London says that concessionary travel “makes a significant difference to the 24% of Londoners aged 60 to 64 that live in poverty”. They say that over the last 10 years poverty rates among older Londoners have increased from 18% to 22%, according to the Trust for London, while for all other age groups it has decreased.
“We know that older people can make savings on their weekly grocery shop when using their concessionary travel cards. They can shop at larger supermarkets making significant savings,” Age UK says.
Any cuts to the Freedom Pass or 60+ Oyster are “also a cause for deep concern when it comes to health”, the charity says.
“People need to have a social life to be well, and without one they risk becoming isolated and lonely. Transport is key to this, it includes people travelling to meet friends, family or to visit a community or social group. It is also vital in helping people to access GP, hospital or other health appointments.
“Concessionary travel can lead to wider health benefits. Research has found that people using public transport because they have a concessionary pass are likely to walk more.”
The charity lists a range of people who would be affected by the loss of the Freedom Pass, including unpaid carers, job seekers, volunteers and key workers.
And Age UK London also stresses that the 60+ Oyster is not free.
“There are 383,000 active users of the 60+ Oyster photocard offered to Londoners aged 60 to 66. There is an application fee of £35 and a £16 annual renewal fee.”
Age UK London estimates that for the 2026-2027 financial year, the amount generated by application and renewal fees will be around £10million – representing 12% of the cost of the scheme.
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News, views and analysis about the people of Croydon, their lives and political times in the diverse and most-populated borough in London.
Based in Croydon and edited by Steven Downes. To contact us, please email inside.croydon@btinternet.com