TfL to withdraw some age-related concessionary travel

jbuchanangb

bouicca21 said:

London over 60s pass is different to the Freedom Pass which is part of the national scheme for those of pensionable age.  I don’t  think any other part of the country has a scheme to cover over 60s until they reach pensionable age.  

Merseytravel have a pass for over 60s who live in Merseyside, which allows off-peak travel on buses, trains and ferries. Off-peak journeys must start before 6.30am or after 9.30am, although it seems that there is flexibility regarding the 9.28am train from Southport. Sadly I live 200 yards outside Merseyside in Lancashire, so I do not benefit from this scheme, but I know a lot of people who do. I have to make do with the ENCTS bus pass, which allows free off peak travel on buses anywhere in England. I understood that in London the time restriction did not apply, but soon will (if not already).

millie

Birmingham are letting their concessionary pass holders use theirs before 9.30 at the moment so that pensioners can take advantage of the special supermarket early access for them.

SeeMe

So in London can a 60+ use the bus free before 9 30 am just a bit confused.

General_Grant

SeeMe said:

So in London can a 60+ use the bus free before 9 30 am just a bit confused.

From age 60 up to Female State Retirement Age, residents of London Boroughs can buy (£10 annual fee) card for travel on Tube, bus, some national rail, etc.  This is for the same time restrictions as for those with a Freedom Pass (Transport for London's name for the State Retirement Age card).  Unless it has changed recently, it is available 24 hours a day on TfL services and a few national rail services and with more restricted hours on some other rail services.   

England national concession passes are valid on buses only.  It is likely that bus drivers did not ask for payment even if travelling before 9.30 a.m. even on weekdays.

jbuchanangb

SeeMe said:

So in London can a 60+ use the bus free before 9 30 am just a bit confused.

I think that is why this debate has started. Holders of Oyster 60+, or Freedom Passes, issued by TfL have until now been able to use buses, tubes, trams, and most trains in Greater London without payment at all times. Holders of ENCTS passes issued elsewhere in England likewise but buses only.
As part of the settlement by the Prime Minister with the Mayor of London, a condition has been imposed to restrict these concessions to journeys starting in off-peak hours only. For buses nationally (England) that means after 9.30am. No doubt someone knows when that restriction will come into effect.
In Merseyside the restriction was lifted during the lockdown, but has been reimposed effective 18 May.

bouicca21

It’s still as clear as mud, since the reference to over 60s could mean the over 60s pass or could include the Freedom (I.e. over state pension age) Pass.  Both passes - until now- have given 24 hour free travel on TfL services.  Where I am in south east London that means buses, DLR and trams, but not trains, which can’t be used until 9.30.  

It would be nice to have the detail, but TBH I’m not going on public transport any time soon.

SeeMe

The question i asked is for my sister, lived in london years around wood green north london, aged 62 so it will not be a freedom pass?, I live in the north so never sure how london works out, just asking if free bus travel before 9 30am is now not free?

General_Grant

SeeMe said:

The question i asked is for my sister, lived in london years around wood green north london, aged 62 so it will not be a freedom pass?, I live in the north so never sure how london works out, just asking if free bus travel before 9 30am is now not free?

No, the Freedom Pass is for those over state retirement age.

The only official information we have about the change is from the written statement given to Parliament by Grant Shapps for which a link was provided earlier.  To quote from that, "We have also set a number of other conditions, including: restoring services to 100 per cent of pre-Covid levels as soon as possible; requiring TfL to collect fares on buses while ensuring driver safety, which it had stopped doing during the crisis; easing congestion by the temporary suspension of free travel for over-60s in the morning peak and temporarily suspending free travel for under-18s all day. Disabled people will still be able to make use of their concession passes all day, and Special arrangements will be made for those children who qualify for free travel to schools."

You can see there are no firm dates for any of that.  There is nothing about it on the TfL website which is still selling the 60+ London Oyster photocard. 

Free bus travel may not be available between 6.30 am and 9.30 am at some stage.  I give those hours because those are the peak hours used for calculating Tube fares.

You will also see from the extract that it seems London buses haven't been collecting fares for some time.  So in that sense, it has been free for everybody.

Does your sister have a 60+ card?  Are you yourself of pension age?

SeeMe

General_Grant said:

SeeMe said:

The question i asked is for my sister, lived in london years around wood green north london, aged 62 so it will not be a freedom pass?, I live in the north so never sure how london works out, just asking if free bus travel before 9 30am is now not free?

No, the Freedom Pass is for those over state retirement age.

The only official information we have about the change is from the written statement given to Parliament by Grant Shapps for which a link was provided earlier.  To quote from that, "We have also set a number of other conditions, including: restoring services to 100 per cent of pre-Covid levels as soon as possible; requiring TfL to collect fares on buses while ensuring driver safety, which it had stopped doing during the crisis; easing congestion by the temporary suspension of free travel for over-60s in the morning peak and temporarily suspending free travel for under-18s all day. Disabled people will still be able to make use of their concession passes all day, and Special arrangements will be made for those children who qualify for free travel to schools."

You can see there are no firm dates for any of that.  There is nothing about it on the TfL website which is still selling the 60+ London Oyster photocard. 

Free bus travel may not be available between 6.30 am and 9.30 am at some stage.  I give those hours because those are the peak hours used for calculating Tube fares.

You will also see from the extract that it seems London buses haven't been collecting fares for some time.  So in that sense, it has been free for everybody.

Does your sister have a 60+ card?  Are you yourself of pension age?

Thanks for the reply, just a case now of seeing what becomes clear in time.

SeeMe

SeeMe said:

General_Grant said:

SeeMe said:

The question i asked is for my sister, lived in london years around wood green north london, aged 62 so it will not be a freedom pass?, I live in the north so never sure how london works out, just asking if free bus travel before 9 30am is now not free?

No, the Freedom Pass is for those over state retirement age.

The only official information we have about the change is from the written statement given to Parliament by Grant Shapps for which a link was provided earlier.  To quote from that, "We have also set a number of other conditions, including: restoring services to 100 per cent of pre-Covid levels as soon as possible; requiring TfL to collect fares on buses while ensuring driver safety, which it had stopped doing during the crisis; easing congestion by the temporary suspension of free travel for over-60s in the morning peak and temporarily suspending free travel for under-18s all day. Disabled people will still be able to make use of their concession passes all day, and Special arrangements will be made for those children who qualify for free travel to schools."

You can see there are no firm dates for any of that.  There is nothing about it on the TfL website which is still selling the 60+ London Oyster photocard. 

Free bus travel may not be available between 6.30 am and 9.30 am at some stage.  I give those hours because those are the peak hours used for calculating Tube fares.

You will also see from the extract that it seems London buses haven't been collecting fares for some time.  So in that sense, it has been free for everybody.

Does your sister have a 60+ card?  Are you yourself of pension age?

Thanks for the reply, just a case now of seeing what becomes clear in time.

Does your sister have a 60+ card?  Are you yourself of pension age?

Its  called 60+ oyster and me not yet pension age.