London Assembly criticises government cuts to Freedom Pass plans

The London Assembly has called on the Mayor to persuade the Government to meet its original commitment to contribute funds to London boroughs to help them meet the costs of extending off-peak free bus travel to people who do not live in London.

A motion agreed today deplored the government's decision to halve this contribution, and urged the Mayor to put pressure on the government to abandon their U-turn and honour the agreement they originally made.

The Assembly also raised concerns about the fact no agreement has been reached between the Mayor and train operators on how to fund an extension to the Freedom Pass that would make it valid around the clock on the rail network.

Caroline Pidgeon, Lib Dem assembly member and Chair of the Transport Committee, said:
"The future of free bus travel is under threat from the Government going back on its commitment, and funding for the Freedom Pass is now under more pressure because of the Mayor’s failure to secure a deal on the rail network.

"We cannot allow schemes that benefit older and vulnerable people in our communities to be put at risk like this. This Assembly is committed to defending concessionary fares and will continue to fight for long-term financial stability for the Freedom Pass and for it to be 24 hour for all public transport in London."

The full text of the motion is as follows:

This Assembly deplores the Government’s plan to halve its contribution to the London Councils to meet the cost of extending off-peak free bus travel to non-Londoners. The Assembly urges the Mayor to do all he can to persuade the Government to abandon this u-turn on their original agreement and pledges to fully support this endeavour. The Assembly notes the funding for the Freedom Pass is also under pressure by the failure of the Mayor to agree with Train Operating companies how to pay for the promised extension 24 hours a day on the rail network.