Freedom Pass guarantee must remain says Mayor of London

Val Shawcross GLA Assembly Member at Vauxhall Cross bus station

The Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said today that he must retain the ability to guarantee free bus and tube travel to older and disabled Londoners, as London Councils stepped up their campaign to abolish the reserve scheme that allows the mayor to step in if there is no agreement on the funding for the Freedom Pass.

Under the existing 'reserve scheme', if the London boroughs have not reached agreement with Transport for London by 31 December before the next financial year then the statutory reserve scheme comes into effect at a cost determined by Transport for London, effectively ensuring that the concession cannot be watered down or under-funded.

Amendments to the Concessionary Bus Travel Bill today and earlier this month sponsored by the London Councils umbrella group and tabled by Lord Bradshaw would erode the reserve travel scheme. The Transport and Environment Committee of London Councils received a briefing in December which agreed that they should lobby 'for the abolition of the London reserve scheme.'

The Mayor said that he would be inviting representatives of groups who benefit from the Freedom Pass to discuss the undermining of the free travel scheme after a second round of amendments were tabled in the House of Lords today.

The Freedom Pass provides for free travel for Londoners over the age of 60 on the tube, DLR, bus, and tram after 9 am Monday to Friday and all day Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays. Disabled people can travel at any time.

The debate arises as legislation is passed to support the national bus concessions. These would operate from 9.30am until 11pm and are specifically for bus travel.

The Mayor said he was concerned that if his powers to guarantee the concession in London were removed or watered down then the national scheme rather than the existing one could become the boroughs' preferred choice.

Transport for London and the London Boroughs agree the cost of the scheme but legislation provides a reserve scheme which acts as an incentive to TfL and the Boroughs to agree costs. Under the reserve scheme TfL determines the cost to be paid by the Boroughs for the scheme in a manner set out in legislation.

The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, said:
'It has taken the new leadership of London Councils just eight months to reveal their intent to remove the ability of the Mayor of London to guarantee the Freedom Pass. The reserve scheme means that no matter how much disagreement there is in the borough councils I can guarantee the Freedom Pass.

'The Freedom Pass does what it says on the tin - it provides freedom to travel for hundreds of thousands of older and disabled Londoners. Hundreds of thousands of London pensioners rely on the Freedom Pass - to many it is regarded as a lifeline. It has proven to be a successful scheme, which has a hugely positive effect on the quality of life for older Londoners and those with disabilities.

'Nothing should be done to put its continuation at risk. This means, in practical terms, that the mayor and Transport for London must continue to be able to guarantee the scheme.

'We do not want a situation where these decisions descend into months of wrangling in the boroughs or parcelled off to Whitehall. This is a Londonwide scheme and we need clarity that the mayor will guarantee it no matter what.

'There is now a sustained attack on free travel schemes in London. Late last year the deputy chair of the London Assembly transport committee proposed that free travel for children on our buses and trams should be abolished.

'The government's introduction of free bus travel nationally is to be strongly welcomed but it should not become the default bottom line in London - the London scheme starts earlier, lasts longer and applies to many more modes of transport.

'I will do everything within my power to defend the free travel schemes in London.'
Today's amendments from Lord Bradshaw follow amendments tabled by the LibDem peer on 8 January at the request of London Councils, the London Boroughs' umbrella group.