News today in London all over the Evening Standard and elsewhere, that the Oyster card - until now only usable on TfL run Underground and bus lines etc, can be used from Jan 1st next year on all overground railway lines in London. This had been campaigned for by the previous Mayor, Ken Livingstone, but had been resisted by the private rail companies. This will now open up London's transport network considerably and encourage more use of public transport across the capital. Apparently there is even going to be a new Oyster London map.
However, there has been news recently that the Freedom Pass - the subsidised free travel provided to London's several million pensioners and disabled people, could be under threat. The Pass is normally issued for 2 years in April and is due to be reissued next April. This time, however, the Pass will be issued for five years. This was welcomed recently by London Councils, the body representing all of London's local authorities, which had secured a deal with the government. Freedom Pass holders are also entitled to use bus services in English cities and towns under the same conditions. The government has now reneged on its offer throwing the whole Freedom Pass scheme into chaos. London Councils has denounced the government's decision, stating that it will leave each London borough short of about £1 million in funding. It has also caused serious concern in the older and disabled people's movement - there is a report of it here
This is a disgraceful decision by the Dept of Transport and leaves each London borough having to pick up the tab from hard pressed council tax payers. I have raised questions about this with Jenny Jones AM, the Green Assembly Member who sits on the Transport Committee of the GLA. She has told me that the London councils are determined to protect the Freedom Pass for older and disabled Londoners and that there will not be any cuts in its provision. However, it means that these councils have to recoup the money from elsewhere or make cuts in expenditure. At a time when councils are struggling to maintain services, I would request the government to urgently reconsider its decision. They should also remember that pensioners and disabled people have votes and will not forget this callous decision to cut funding for a service which ensures that people in these groups do not become housebound and have some decent quality of life.
Oh yes, as a Freedom Pass holder I can honestly say that it allows me to have an extra pint when I get to the pub! Most of the cost of which goes directly back to the government.
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