Khan to end free peak travel for over-60s to boost budget

THE Mayor of London has announced plans to permanently end free morning peak travel for over-60s as part of a number of cost-cutting measures to bolster Transport for London’s beleaguered finances.

As part of his draft budget yesterday, Sadiq Khan revealed he would end free travel before 9am for those who hold a 60+ Freedom Pass, as part of a push to save Transport for London around £40 million a year.

No change will apply to holders of the Disabled Person’s Freedom Pass.

The Freedom Pass restrictions were first brought in on a short-term basis in June 2020 as a Covid money-saving step following the Government’s finance agreement for the capital’s transport provider. However, the mayor’s office has said that after consultation the decision had to be taken to make this permanent from today.

As part of the mayor’s plans to mitigate the impact on those over 60, Seb Dance, his deputy mayor for transport, has written to GP surgeries and NHS trusts to recommend that medical appointments for those over 60 are scheduled to occur after 9am.

The mayor had considered a policy that would incrementally increase the age at which travellers could obtain a Freedom Pass on a six-month basis, but this was scrapped.

It comes as Transport for London’s finances come under increased pressure as it looks to plug a £740million funding gap.