The body representing London’s 32 boroughs has pledged to maintain the capital’s Freedom Pass, which allows free travel on public transport for those aged 66 or over, following pressure from campaigners.
More than 10,000 Londoners and civic organisations had called on London Councils, which represents the boroughs and the City of London, to protect the travel permit. The pass, which is issued by London Councils and not Transport for London, entitles about 1.2 million people to free travel on the bus, rail, Tube and tram networks after 9am.
Fears for the Freedom Pass’s future emerged in January after a meeting of the cross-party body’s transport and environment committee, where discussions took place about restricting the pass to buses only.
Councils pay for the passes and reimburse TfL and the rail operators for any free journeys made.
But the bill is expected to reach £372 million this financial year, prompting concerns over its future financial viability when councils are making cuts elsewhere.
Age UK supporters marched to London Councils’ offices in the City on Thursday to make their feelings heard and meet Paul Osborn, who represented the committee in charge of the pass.
“London Councils is absolutely committed to the Freedom Pass,” Osborn said. “We recognise the massive value it has to elderly people, it makes a massive difference to people’s lives. It’s a lifeline for a lot of people, and we will ensure that it gets protected.
“I do regret the concerns that people have and the worry it’s had. The challenge for us is how we fund it, and there’s an argument that we’re having with TfL, the bus companies, and the train companies about how much we’re charged – but that discussion wasn’t and isn’t ever going to be about the day to day life of an elderly person using the Freedom Pass, it’s about how you allocate the cost, not the card itself.
“Hopefully this meeting we’ve had with Age UK can help to reassure people that no one wants to touch this – but we do have to be aware that the cost is going up, and therefore make sure we’re robust in our negotiations about how this gets funded.”
Osborn, who is also the Conservative leader of Harrow Council, added: “There’s no question it needs to be funded and there’s no question, if need be, we will be funding it. Even my mother wouldn’t vote for me if we got rid of it.”
Age UK says any changes to the Freedom Pass would disproportionately affect those on low incomes, from ethnic minority backgrounds and older people who depend on public transport to access vital services.
Carol Hopwood, who signed the petition and attended the march, said that any notion of reducing the benefits of the Freedom Pass was “outrageous” and that London Councils’ affirmation was a “massive relief”.
“It would mean older people, who rely on it to get out and about, would remain isolated and become extremely lonely,” the ex-teacher said.
“This is a pass that many of us have paid into for all our lives – it says free, but we’ve paid for it through our taxes. A lot of older people don’t live wealthy lifestyles – this enables them to get out and about.”
London Councils said: “No changes are planned to the Freedom Pass. The provision and scope of the Freedom Pass are set out in national legislation.
“All 32 London boroughs and the City of London Corporation fund and deliver the Freedom Pass scheme which enables London residents over the age of 66 to travel free on all public transport modes in the capital.
“We welcome Age UK London’s visit to London Councils’ headquarters and recognise the vital work it undertakes to secure a high quality of life for older residents across the capital. We will continue to work closely with Age UK London as a trusted partner to ensure London local government meets the needs of older residents.”
Kumail Jaffer is the Local Democracy Reporter covering London’s mayor and assembly. The Greenwich Wire is a partner in the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which is a BBC-funded initiative to ensure councils are covered properly in local media.
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