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London's older and disabled people to get greater benefits from their Freedom Pass travel
London's older and disabled people will soon be able to enjoy greater free travel benefits from their Freedom Pass - the concessionary fares scheme paid for by London's boroughs.
From Sunday 11 November, disabled Freedom Pass holders will be able to use the London Overground Network free of charge at anytime, while people aged 60 and over will be entitled to free travel on the network from 9am on weekdays instead of 9.30am.
The Network covers services from Stratford to Richmond; Willesden Junction to Clapham Junction; Euston to Watford Junction and Gospel Oak to Barking.
The extra benefits mean that disabled Freedom Pass holders will be able to enjoy access to 24-hour free travel on the network and London's trams, buses, Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and tubes, while those aged 60 or over will be able to travel free on the network and the capital's tubes, buses, DLR and trams from 9am. The 9.30am start time on national rail services within London for all Freedom Pass holders will remain.
The Freedom Pass is the country's most comprehensive free travel scheme. It is run on behalf of the boroughs by London Councils.
Chairman of London Councils, Councillor Merrick Cockell, said:
"The Freedom Pass provides a vital lifeline to some of the most vulnerable people in our society. The scheme helps to make a huge difference to people's lives and these changes will boost this even further.
The boroughs have run the scheme for decades and despite the claims of the Mayor of London we have consistently said that the Freedom Pass is safe in the hands of London Councils and the boroughs.
Extending the time that people are able to use the Pass is clear evidence of our commitment to the scheme and in providing our older and disabled residents with the ability to lead as independent and active life as possible."
Currently holders of the disabled or older persons Freedom Pass can only use services on the London Overground Network from 9.30am during the week, but all day at the weekends and on public holidays
Boroughs use a mixture of national grant and local income, including the council tax and surpluses from their parking accounts, to pay for the Freedom Pass.
The change to the times the pass is available coincides with Laing-MTR taking over the franchise for Network.
If any member of the media wants more information please contact Stewart Henderson in the London Councils press office on 020 7934 9620 or on stewart.henderson@londoncouncils.gov.uk
