Overview
- This week London Councils said it will not change the Freedom Pass after public pressure, and it has shelved proposals to restrict the concession to buses only.
- About 1.2 million Londoners hold the pass and councils face an estimated bill of roughly £372 million for 2026/27, creating sharp budgetary strain for the 32 boroughs and the City of London.
- Concerns first grew after a January Transport and Environment Committee discussion that explored limiting the pass to buses, prompting Age UK to launch a petition and organise a march that led to direct talks with officials.
- London Councils stressed the pass’s scope is set out in national law and said current discussions are focused on how costs are shared with Transport for London and train and bus operators, not on removing benefits.
- Campaigners warn any future reductions would raise isolation and hardship for low-income and mobility-dependent older people and could increase demand on local health and social services if funding talks fail.