Mayor hits Freedom Pass holders with double whammy - Caroline Pidgeon AM

2.25.00pm GMT Wed 17th Dec 2008

Pensioners and eligible disabled people in London were today hit by a double whammy as the Mayor of London Boris Johnson revealed that not only would their 24 hour Freedom Pass not be able to be used on Network Rail trains before 9.30am, despite this being a key election promise, but that the London Boroughs face paying out millions of pounds to fund Mayor Boris Johnson's' 24 hour commitment.

At present people aged over 60 and eligible disabled people in possession of a Freedom Pass can travel after 9.30am for free on the transport network. Boris Johnson has repeatedly promised pass holders that as from January 2nd they could use all of London's transport network, including the overground rail network at any time.

At Mayor's Question Time held in the London Assembly today, under questioning from Liberal Democrat Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon, the Mayor admitted that the cost of extending the Freedom Pass to 24 hour use would have to be paid for by Council Tax payers in London boroughs. Boris Johnson also said that it was not yet possible to confirm whether people could use their passes on the overground rail network before 09.30.

Caroline Pidgeon AM said:

"This is a double whammy for Freedom Pass holders in London. Not only will they not be able to use their passes on the rail network before 9.30am, but they face the prospect of higher council tax bills because Boris expects the Boroughs to bear all the costs of a 24 hour freedom pass."

"This is effectively a duff Christmas present from the Mayor, one with the parts missing and no batteries in it! The Mayor must live up to his promise and fully fund the 24 hour Freedom Pass that he promised."