I am pretty sure that all people of such an age qualify the freedom pass Michael. However I guess it is wrong to assume that all pensioners go through the procedure of getting one, I know my mother didnt for quite a while.
It is a touchy subject for sure, so hopefully the works which require the underpass being shut will be over with as quickly as possible. I did see a lot of digging and dust this morning from Platform 1, so looks like they are now getting properly stuck into it.