London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

London Assembly calls for end to Freedom Pass restrictions

London Assembly calls for end to Freedom Pass restrictions

The London Assembly has urged Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and TfL to remove temporary travel restrictions for older people imposed at the height of the pandemic.
In June 2020, TfL announced it would no longer allow passengers to use 60+ Oyster Cards or Older Person’s Freedom Passes during morning peak hours to “help conserve space on public transport” and aid social distancing for key workers.

But over a year later and with all social distancing measures now lifted, the London Assembly unanimously called on Sadiq Khan and TfL to remove the restrictions on Thursday.

Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon of the Liberal Democrats proposed the motion at City Hall and said the restrictions “must be lifted” or the mayor should provide “sound scientific evidence to continue penalising people over 60 years of age”.

Ms Pidgeon said: “The suspension of concessionary travel for 60+ Oyster photocard and Older Person’s Freedom Pass holders before 9am on weekdays was supposed to be only a temporary measure, yet it is still in place 15 months after it was first introduced and with no indication as to when it will be finally lifted.

“With restrictions on crowding and social distancing now largely lifted the arguments for the continued restrictions no longer hold up. It is time to stop penalising people over 60 who are in work, who need to travel to offer childcare to grandchildren at the start of the day, or who face morning health and hospital appointments.”

Londoners over the age of 60 are eligible to apply for a 60+ Oyster Card which allows entitles them to free travel on TfL services and some national rail services. Older Person’s Freedom Passes provide free travel in London and on bus services elsewhere in the country.

But since June last year, neither card can be used for free travel before 9am on weekdays.

TfL has said it is considering whether the changes introduced last year should be “retained in the longer term”.

A TfL spokesperson said: “Last year, the government required the Mayor and TfL to change the hours of the day when holders of the Older Person’s Freedom Pass and 60+ photo card could access free travel on TfL services. Instead of the passes being valid at all times, a new 9am start time was introduced, and this is still in place at the moment.

“As the pandemic recedes, we are now considering whether or not these temporary changes should be retained in the longer term, including taking into account both the impact on older people and the foregone income associated with providing free travel before 9am.”

Holders of both 60+ Oyster Cards and Freedom Passes are still eligible for unlimited free travel after 9am on weekdays and at any time on weekends and bank holidays.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×