Boris Johnson’s promise to protect and extend the Freedom Pass will benefit over 32,000 people in Kensington & Chelsea and over 27,000 people in Hammersmith & Fulham, official figures reveal.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has promised to guarantee the Freedom Pass for all Londoners aged 60 years or older if re-elected. The qualifying age for the pass had already risen to 61 and was due to rise further. The Mayor said that, without this change, his upgrade to 24-hour free travel was not enough: “I’m conscious that my promise of free travel has been eroded by a decision from Ken Livingstone’s Labour party to raise the age where Londoners qualify for the Freedom Pass.
“So today my pledge to elderly Londoners is that they will get free travel from the age of 60. I am confident that ongoing savings will enable me to deliver this for the next mayoral term.”
Mr Johnson said it would reward those who have worked hard, paid their taxes and did the right thing throughout their life. If he wins, everyone aged between 56 and 61 will benefit directly from the change during his next mayoral term, and the protection will extend to anyone with an ‘Older’ Freedom Pass.
Commenting, Greg Hands M.P. said: “Boris is on the side of those struggling to make ends meet. He has cut his share of Council Tax and will ensure free travel is protected, which is particularly important for those on fixed incomes.
“There’s a clear choice at the election: Boris Johnson, who is helping older Londoners, or Ken Livingstone, who hit everyone with a 152 per cent tax rise the last time he was Mayor.”