Change to Oyster 60+ qualifying age?

katejo

I got my Oyster 60+ in March but did wonder during the preceding year whether the qualifying age would be changed before my birthday. I did find some publicity which suggested that there had been plans to do this but that they were dropped. Instead the ban on use before 9 or 9.30 am introduced during lockdown was  made permanent in February 2023.
 According to a friend, someone who will reach 60 in July 2023 has just been told that the required age would be 63 by then so they couldn't apply. I can't find any info online to support this. All the Oyster web pages still say 60+.  Has anyone else come across news of a change?

KeithP

AgeUK wrote this some time ago...
Protect travel concessions for older Londoners

A short extract from that webpage...

katejo

KeithP said:

AgeUK wrote this some time ago...
Protect travel concessions for older Londoners

A short extract from that webpage...

Yes I know about this already. I am not referring to the block on use before 9am which already applies. The person I heard about was told that Oyster 60+ was going to change to 63+ by later this year and so they wouldn't be eligible at all.  I haven't heard back from the friend yet. 

Jaybee_16

Trawling around the Internet, all I see is a suggestion of this age change as a way of saving money but hasn't moved forward at all. 

katejo

Jaybee_16 said:

Trawling around the Internet, all I see is a suggestion of this age change as a way of saving money but hasn't moved forward at all. 

Yes that is all I can see. That's why I am surprised at someone being told that they wouldn't be eligible on reaching 60  later this year. I still don't have an update from the friend who told me this. 

MilesT6060842

Jaybee_16 said:

Trawling around the Internet, all I see is a suggestion of this age change as a way of saving money but hasn't moved forward at all. 

+1 to that, there was some talk but TfL/Mayor stepped back from that.

I'm getting closer to the age when I can apply (although you can't apply too soon, and you do actually have to be resident in London, obs.).  I hope I can still apply when it is time.

I do recognise Freedom 60+ is more generous than the rest of the UK (who have to wait until 65 for similar cards), especially with people working longer, and it does cost some revenue (although less now that it is off peak only, which means that holders can't use the pass for commuting, which is a real revenue loss). The "fairer" change to reduce costs would be means testing: different charges to get to get the Freedom 60+ issued, to make it more revenue neutral for those who could afford to pay.

Sadly it is not possible to add PAYG credit to a freedom pass so you have to use two cards if you need to start your travels before 9.30.  TfL will be replacing the current Oyster systems in a few years so maybe they can figure that out (they could do it now but it would be complex, likely based on the "end of day" true up that is done for contactless cards (mainly, happens for Oyster as well but refunds are rarer because Oyster can track your spend in real time on the card via updating but contactless can't quite)

katejo

MilesT6060842 said:

Jaybee_16 said:

Trawling around the Internet, all I see is a suggestion of this age change as a way of saving money but hasn't moved forward at all. 

+1 to that, there was some talk but TfL/Mayor stepped back from that.

I'm getting closer to the age when I can apply (although you can't apply too soon, and you do actually have to be resident in London, obs.).  I hope I can still apply when it is time.

I do recognise Freedom 60+ is more generous than the rest of the UK (who have to wait until 65 for similar cards), especially with people working longer, and it does cost some revenue (although less now that it is off peak only, which means that holders can't use the pass for commuting, which is a real revenue loss). The "fairer" change to reduce costs would be means testing: different charges to get to get the Freedom 60+ issued, to make it more revenue neutral for those who could afford to pay.

Sadly it is not possible to add PAYG credit to a freedom pass so you have to use two cards if you need to start your travels before 9.30.  TfL will be replacing the current Oyster systems in a few years so maybe they can figure that out (they could do it now but it would be complex, likely based on the "end of day" true up that is done for contactless cards (mainly, happens for Oyster as well but refunds are rarer because Oyster can track your spend in real time on the card via updating but contactless can't quite)

Yes I still have to keep my old Oystercard to top up when I travel to work before 9am but that is only 2 days a week. I take both cards with me so I can use the 60+ on the way home.  I was actually quite relieved to hear in January that the block on travel before 9/9.30am would continue. I thought it was less likely that they would change the Oyster 60+ before my 60th birthday. I actually don't think it unreasonable to expect people to pay during the morning rush hour. It can still be used to commute back home in the evening or on days when I start work at 1pm (usually once a week).
You certainly can't apply far in advance. The website said 2 weeks in advance but, when I tried, it blocked me. It has now changed to 10 days in advance.

t0rt0ise

MilesT6060842 said:

Jaybee_16 said:

Trawling around the Internet, all I see is a suggestion of this age change as a way of saving money but hasn't moved forward at all. 

+1 to that, there was some talk but TfL/Mayor stepped back from that.

I'm getting closer to the age when I can apply (although you can't apply too soon, and you do actually have to be resident in London, obs.).  I hope I can still apply when it is time.

I do recognise Freedom 60+ is more generous than the rest of the UK (who have to wait until 65 for similar cards), especially with people working longer, and it does cost some revenue (although less now that it is off peak only, which means that holders can't use the pass for commuting, which is a real revenue loss). The "fairer" change to reduce costs would be means testing: different charges to get to get the Freedom 60+ issued, to make it more revenue neutral for those who could afford to pay.

Sadly it is not possible to add PAYG credit to a freedom pass so you have to use two cards if you need to start your travels before 9.30.  TfL will be replacing the current Oyster systems in a few years so maybe they can figure that out (they could do it now but it would be complex, likely based on the "end of day" true up that is done for contactless cards (mainly, happens for Oyster as well but refunds are rarer because Oyster can track your spend in real time on the card via updating but contactless can't quite)

The 60+ card is a TfL card and nothing to do with the councils therefore there will not be any means testing for them. TfL won't do means testing.

MilesT6060842

t0rt0ise said:

The 60+ card is a TfL card and nothing to do with the councils therefore there will not be any means testing for them. TfL won't do means testing.

Actually, no, both older persons and disabled freedom passes are funded/managed by London councils, as this document makes clear: https://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/node/4597  Primary legislation (Act of Parliament) says so.

TfL is a partner in the technical implementation, as it provides the services for which the concession has been granted.

Same for the 65 plus version (which gains the ENCTR rose logo, allowing use as a free bus pass elsewhere in England).

So means testing would be possible and practical.

katejo

MilesT6060842 said:

t0rt0ise said:

The 60+ card is a TfL card and nothing to do with the councils therefore there will not be any means testing for them. TfL won't do means testing.

Actually, no, both older persons and disabled freedom passes are funded/managed by London councils, as this document makes clear: https://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/node/4597  Primary legislation (Act of Parliament) says so.

TfL is a partner in the technical implementation, as it provides the services for which the concession has been granted.

Same for the 65 plus version (which gains the ENCTR rose logo, allowing use as a free bus pass elsewhere in England).

So means testing would be possible and practical.

The oyster 60+ is separate to the Freedom Pass and isn't managed by the councils.   I have just found this Temporary restrictions to the Older Person’s Freedom Pass and 60 plus card | London City Hall

gwynlas

Travel passes in remainder of England are now set at State pension age not 65 so 66 and upwards.