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Update: 60+ Oyster photocard and Older Persons’ Freedom Passes
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ChrisR


Posts: 97
Joined: Nov 2007
Post: #1
19-01-2023 01:16 PM

From TfL email sent 18th January 2022:

Quote:
From today, Wednesday 18 January 2023, the temporary suspension of free travel for 60+ Oyster photocard and Older Persons’ Freedom Pass holders between 04:30 and 09:00 on weekdays, which was put in place during the pandemic, will become permanent.

Why this decision?
Low ridership during the pandemic has had a devastating impact on TfL’s finances. TfL has had to therefore obtain extraordinary funding from the government to keep running.

The government funding came with conditions to generate more income. This is why the Mayor had previously outlined a number of fares proposals which he was having to explore in order to generate income.

What this means for you
If you hold an 60+ Oyster photocard you will need to pay for travel between 04:30 and 09:00 on weekdays.

You will still be able to travel free on TfL’s services from 09:00 on Mondays to Fridays and at weekends and bank holidays.

Disabled Persons Freedom Pass holders are not affected by this change.

Your options
If you need to travel before 09:00 you can use pay as you go with contactless or an Oyster card. Oyster cards can be topped up at station ticket machines, local newsagents, online and via the TfL app.

Yours sincerely,

Customer Information Team
Transport for London

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nottinghillbilly


Posts: 653
Joined: Dec 2010
Post: #2
20-01-2023 08:46 PM

As a holder of the over 60's Oyster card it was so obvious this was going to happen.

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michael


Posts: 3,255
Joined: Mar 2005
Post: #3
23-01-2023 12:58 PM

It never felt fair that working people over 60 were entitled to free travel.

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jgdoherty


Posts: 372
Joined: Nov 2007
Post: #4
23-01-2023 07:04 PM

It is and always was a reasonable proposition.

I will confess I benefitted from qualifying for the benefits the 60+ Oyster Photocard and continue to enjoy my use of the Older Persons’ Freedom Pass.

Worth noting that neither category of pass provides universal use on morning rush hour services and separate tickets for journeys in that period must be bought and paid for. Even during the pandemic when some stores were providing dedicated early morning shopping slots for the elderly and vulnerable (often for a one-hour window beginning around 8:00am), those who held such passes could not use them to make shopping trips by bus before 9:30am.

On the whole though, the benefits have real value.

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samuelsen


Posts: 448
Joined: Feb 2016
Post: #5
24-01-2023 12:23 PM

Holders of the over 60+ Oyster card pay an annual minimal fee each year, so not totally free, but very welcome.

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