Good News for Freedom Pass Holders

If you're over 60 and have a Freedom Pass I'm sure you'll be pleased to learn that the proposed all hours extension to the Pass has been approved along with a five year funding deal. I understand the all hours extension will come into effect from the 1st April 2009.

This is an extract from the official press release:

Boroughs agree 24 hour extension of Freedom PassReleased on 12 February 2009
London's boroughs have today formally extended the Freedom Pass scheme to allow older Londoners free travel on most buses, tubes and trains 24 hours a day - while guaranteeing the future of the Pass for years to come.

The extension was signed off as part of a five-year funding deal agreed with Transport for London (TfL). Under the deal, the boroughs have agreed to contribute to the cost of extending the Freedom Pass to allow older residents to use TfL services 24 hours a day.

London's boroughs run the Freedom Pass - the country's most comprehensive free travel scheme. Each year they pay Transport for London and rail operators in the capital to allow older and disabled residents to use their services free of charge.

The cost of providing the Freedom Pass on all services for the current financial year is £270 million.

Under the new agreement the overall costs for providing the Pass on TfL services - determined, in principle, by usage - will be capped for each year between 2010/11 and 2014/15.

In return for this agreement, the boroughs have agreed to help fund the 24 hour extension of the Freedom Pass for older users on TfL services.

London Councils' Chairman Councillor Merrick Cockell said:

"Today's agreement will mean that a million older Londoners will be able to enjoy access to the majority of London transport 24 hours a day. It also represents another landmark in relations between the boroughs and the Mayor.

"While this is clearly beneficial to both parties - it is older Londoners who will really reap the rewards."

Chairman of London Councils' Transport and Environment Committee Councillor Mike Fisher said:

"This deal is clearly beneficial to all concerned. The boroughs can be assured that the cost of paying for the Freedom Pass on TfL services will be capped for the next five years - and Transport for London will receive extra contributions towards the Freedom Pass extension.

"We are pleased that both parties have entered into these negotiations in good faith - and with the best interests of older and disabled Londoners at heart."

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said:

"I am delighted that London Councils has guaranteed the Freedom Pass for another five years and grateful for the way they have worked productively with me to achieve this. Extending the Freedom Pass to 24 hours will help hundreds of thousands of Londoners.

"This shows that the new approach of working together with London's boroughs is a much better way of achieving our shared goal to improve the quality of life in our city."

Notes to editors

Over one million older and disabled Londoners hold a Freedom Pass. London's boroughs have paid for and run the Freedom Pass for more than two decades, spending around £3 billion on the scheme.


You can find the full report here


And information on the Freedom Pass here
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I'm personally really looking forward to getting my first Freedom Pass in October, and more than a little relieved that it is guaranteed for the next five years.