There has understandably been a lot of media interest in the instruction from government telling TfL to abandon free bus travel for under 18s. Unfortunately some sections of the media seem to think that it’s happened already. It hasn’t. TfL are currently in discussions with the DfT about how it can be implimented and what the scope should be. They have pointed out that if all free child fares are removed then the London councils will have to work out an alternative method of providing free travel to school for those who are entitled to it. The costs of doing that could well exceed the savings made by charging for other child journeys. Watch this space!
What is about to happen is that older person freedom passes and 60+ Oyster holders will no longer be able to use their passes on services before 9am. This starts on June 15th and is billed as a temporary change. Disabled persons freedom passes are not affected. There is, however, no change to the message that public transport should only be used if absolutely necessary.
Freedom Pass Fares.
Does this restriction only apply to London Freedom Passes.
What will happen with a Kent Concessionary Pass. Will this still be able to be used in Kent and London before 9.00 Mon-Fri. And what about using a London Freedom Pass in Kent or Surrey. I think this is a half baked scheme and should only apply to buses in Zone 1
Hi Len,
I’m no expert on the validities of various freedom passes. I know ENCTS passes countrywide are accepted on buses after the morning peak. If Kent passes are also valid all day in London then that will be paid for by Kent Council so you’d have to ask them about any changes. The agreement between TfL and the London Councils covers travel after 9.00. Before 9.00 is/was paid by TfL hence the government insistance that it should stop to assist with crowd control measures.
London buses are completely zoneless (because you only touch in so there is no knowledge of where you travel). How would you suggest limiting the restiction to just zone 1?
Hi Mike
I think disabled bus passes issued in England are valid on TFL buses’ 24 hours a day,a pass form outside of greater London have never read to date on TFL’s card readers and show ITSO card and beep red the card is simply shown to drive and there is no rail travel option on non London passes.
If you have a Disabled Person’s Freedom Pass, you can still travel at any time on our services.
Taken from TFL’s freedom pass website
It is true that holders of a Disabled Person’s Freedom Pass are unaffected by the changes, but English Concessionary Passes issued outside of London will no longer be valid before 9:00 Monday to Friday as of Monday 15th June (until such time as these temporary changes are lifted).