Forum Topic

FYI from TfL:  Monday 15 June, 60+ London Oyster & Older Person’s Freedom Pa

From Monday 15 June, customers with a 60+ London Oyster photocard, Older Person’s Freedom Pass or English National Concessionary Scheme pass will not be able to use their card between 04:30 and 09:00 Monday to Friday. This is to enable social distancing on the public transport network and help control the spread of coronavirus.  If you have no option other than to use public transport during the morning peak, we recommend that you travel using pay as you go with a contactless card or device or an Oyster card. For more information, please visit www.tfl.gov.uk/fares

Joy Griffiths ● 2343d16 Comments

Much better than the rumours, which said we wouldn't be able to use them during the evening rush hour either.

Susan Kelly ● 2343d

That wasn’t a rumour as that’s what they initially planned.... and sent out an email to those on their contact list suggesting such.

Joy Griffiths ● 2343d

And this neatly puts paid to my using the bus to get to M&S during the early opening hour which prioritises the elderly.

Arnold Saxton ● 2342d

I assume that the inability to use the Freedom Pass before 09:30 on SWR and other main-line rail services remains as normal ?

Richard Greenhough ● 2342d

I really hope this is just a temporary measure but I fear it won’t be. I understand the need to reduce numbers on public transport at the moment but there is some antipathy to the Freedom pass and this might be the short end of the wedge.My other (and much better) half volunteers for a charity for two days a week and the nature of the work requires a 9.30 start in Kings Cross. The fact of now having to pay for transport might serve as a huge disincentive in the recruitment future volunteers.

Stewart Jones ● 2342d

Aw Arnold – that's rotten luck for you.A case of needs must in a crisis with one sector of the community missing out.  Almost certainly a completely unintentional consequence.Perhaps M&S can be persuaded to allow the over 75's (and disabled) to leapfrog the queue and walk straight into the shop at any time of day.It'll be busier than your current early morning slot.  But would it help?

Stuart Kerr ● 2342d

You should be able to get there and back on the bus on quiet roads for £1.50. What's that? The cost of a couple of apples at M&S?

Susan Kelly ● 2342d

I agree this isn't ideal as many over 60s are still working so need to travel. Unfair that they would not be able to travel using freedom pass. TFL should look to taking away free travel permanently for children. When I was growing up children had to pay half fare and later a nominal fee. With schools reopening this could help reduce numbers on transport. Let the older generation travel free using their well earned passes.

Dean Isaac ● 2340d

So from 4.30am to 9.00am I'm assuming.

V Killick ● 2340d

'I agree this isn't ideal as many over 60s are still working so need to travel. Unfair that they would not be able to travel using freedom pass.'There's really no justification for the 60+ card (rather than the Freedom Pass) and I speak as someone who has benefited from it for the past five years. It was an electoral bribe from Boris Johnson in 2012.If over 60s are still working, then they can afford to pay their fare into work for a few weeks. They will still get a free return journey.

Susan Kelly ● 2340d

Arnold, you can still shop earlier, but you would need to use an Oyster card.  Not good, but better than not continuing with your shopping and you would still be able to return free.

V Killick ● 2340d

I do sympathise with Arnold and my point here relates to an elderly couple who I help.  When I was informing them of these changes we realised that they would be adversely affected.Both are in their 80s with medical problems which mean regular appointments at Charing Cross clinics.  They don’t drive and always use the tube and bus.  The clinics start early and their mobility problems mean it is important to leave a lot of time to get there - sometimes an hour and a half plus a loo stop on arrival.  I am sure this is an unintended consequence.Perhaps one of the solutions could be to delay the issuing of the pass to age 65.  Pensions now start around that age and soon will be pushed up to 67.

Elizabeth Ross ● 2340d

You can claim the fares back at the hospital.

Julie Gordon ● 2340d

"but you would need to use an Oyster card"Or a contactless card or device.

Robin Cox ● 2339d

On a rather flippant note, having free travel was about the only nice thing about hitting 60 and softened the blow for  me.  It also encouraged me to make a choice about taking the car or using public transport for other trips and I did justify it to myself by calculating the thousands I've spent on fares since I started working in London  in 1977. I am going to miss that little perk.

Anne Brown ● 2339d

I think the bare facts of this ought to be understood and accepted.  Firstly, this new 'temporary' restriction tends to bring the ability to use the Freedom Pass almost in line with the rest of England, where ENTS card holders do not get free travel before 09.30.  Secondly, the 09.00 restriction is still half an hour before peak time fares on the tube end.  Thirdly, the 09.30 restriction on local trains has always been there.  Fourthly, it still provides free tube travel for a good proportion of the day.  In the rest of England there is no free travel using the ENTS on trains at any time of day.  Londoners are still getting more than over65's in the rest of England.  I admit that it is to be hoped that this new restriction is only temporary but that remains to be seen.

J. F. Bingham ● 2339d