A potential new bus pass rule for thousands of people over 66 has been scrapped. London Councils have axed proposals to review the Freedom Pass, which allows Londoners aged over 66 to travel free on public transport.
The decision to shelve the planned rule changes comes after a petition was backed by tens of thousands of people. Charity Age UK led a campaign urging the local authorities in the capital to rethink, too. The councils had discussed limiting free travel for older people to buses in order to save money earlier this year.
Campaign Success
John McGeachy, from Age UK London, said older people relied on the pass every day, and "the overwhelming response to our open letter shows just how vital this support is". The passes enable older and disabled residents to use public transport across London at no cost at the weekend and after 9am on weekdays (9:30am for National Rail travel), covering buses, the Tube, trams, DLR, London Overground, the Elizabeth line and most National Rail services in the capital.
Age UK London said that despite the current statement that the pass will remain as it is, the letter's importance was in demonstrating "just how strongly older Londoners feel".
Previous Controversy
The Freedom Pass was thrown into the spotlight last year when Channel 4 presenter Kirstie Allsopp criticised the children's author Michael Rosen for having a Freedom Pass, saying "people taking things they did not need" was "bankrupting the country".
Official Statement
A London Councils spokesperson 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.
