Officials have been weighing in on the future of the pass
Eve Berkley, 95, is one of many Londoners who has spoken out about the plans(Image: Facundo Arrizabalaga)
The future of the Older Person’s Freedom Pass in London has been in jeopardy as London Councils undertake a review of the scheme. One proposal suggested restricting free to travel to bus only, as is the case in many other UK cities.
The Freedom Pass entitles around 1.2 million Londoners aged 66 and over to free travel on all bus, tram, Tube, Overground and Elizabeth line services at certain times of the day. It is predicted that the Freedom Pass will cost the 33 London boroughs £372 million a year from April, which is a 12 percent increase on the previous year.
Officials have been weighing in on the future of the pass, including Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. Around 80,000 people have now signed a petition to protect the Older Person’s Freedom Pass from any restrictions.
“I’m all in favour of anything that helps the elderly people, I happen to be elderly so consequently if they’re doing something to help me I’m all in favour. Stopping it would be a tragedy because if some people haven’t got a car its the only means of transport for them,” said 95-year-old Eve Berkley.
David Foulis, 67, thinks that pensioners are entitled to the full Freedom Pass (Image: Facundo Arrizabalaga)
David Foulis, 67, who recently received his Freedom Pass said: “I’m still working at the moment and I can afford to pay for travel but why should myself, or anybody, pay for something they’re entitled to, whether they can afford it or not? At the end of the day older people probably can’t afford it, so I think it would be bad.”
But with all the discussions online, some people have still been left confused on where exactly the proposals stand and if they will soon need to start budgeting to ride the Tube.
London Councils’ chief operating officer Stephen Boon said, told BBC London the increasing cost of the scheme was concern among councils “especially at a time when boroughs’ finances are under considerable pressure”.
“As a concessionary travel scheme, the Freedom Pass is more generous than arrangements in other parts of the country,” Boon said.
“This is because the Freedom Pass covers all modes of public transport in the capital, whereas concessionary travel schemes in most other areas of England only cover buses,” he told the BBC.
He added that restricting the scheme to bus travel was just one example of a cost-saving measure, which may be used to reduce the burden of the scheme on London Borough Councils.
Labour councils ‘block’ any restrictions to Freedom Pass
The Labour Party has said that Labour Councils across London will block any changes to the Freedom Pass which would “reduce the range of services it can be used on.”
Sadiq Khan says that the Freedom Pass is “crucial” for older Londoners(Image: Jack Taylor)
Cllr Claire Holland, Leader of London Councils Labour Group, said: “The previous Conservative government slashed funding for the Freedom Pass scheme, leaving councils to foot the bill.
“It’s clear that we need to ensure the Freedom Pass is funded sustainably, but this cannot be done at the expense of older Londoners.
“We know the Freedom Pass is a vital lifeline for our older residents and we must defend it. Labour councils will oppose any changes that would see restrictions placed on who can use it and which modes of transport it applies to.”
The Mayor has also come out to say that he “fully supports” Labour-run councils, which make-up 21 out of the 32 London boroughs, in their efforts to keep the pass. Essentially, the pass has been saved for now.
‘The Freedom Pass is crucial for older Londoners’
Sir Sadiq said: “The Freedom Pass is crucial for older Londoners, enabling them to travel around the city and stay connected to friends and family. While I have no control over the 66+ pass, Labour councils have my full support in committing to keep it.
“As Mayor, I am ensuring hundreds of thousands of older Londoners are also able to enjoy free travel by continuing to provide the 60+ Oyster card alongside other concessions for Londoners.
“The previous Tory government wanted to get rid of the 60+ Oyster card. It’s clear that only Labour can be trusted to protect concessionary travel for Londoners.”
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