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My LondonCampaigners have warned that changes to TfL» 's fares will have a 'devastating' impact on elderly Londoners, who are disproportionately facing the brunt of the fallout TfL's funding crisis. It comes as City Hall this morning (Wednesday, January 18) announced that fares will jump an average of 5.9 per cent on TfL services from March 5, with changes to concessions for Londoners over 60 made permanent.
At the height of the pandemic in 2020, TfL blocked free travel for holders of 60+ Oyster▸ cards and Older Person's Freedom Passes before 9am on weekdays. Initially, this was understood to be a social distancing measure to protect the elderly who may have been more vulnerable should they have contracted coronavirus. However, as the drop in passenger numbers overall led to a £1.9billion funding gap, TfL decided to maintain the block even after lockdowns ended. Today, Mayor Sadiq Khan has signed a mayoral decision which makes that block permanent, meaning over 60s have to pay full fare to travel before 9am on weekdays.
Abigail Wood, CEO▸ of Age UK▸ London said: "We are devastated that the voices of older Londoners have been ignored. Affordable transport is a lifeline not a luxury and this cut penalises them with no choice about when and how they travel. Age UK London is deeply concerned this comes at the worst possible time as the cost-of-living crisis worsens and more and more older Londoners are plunged into poverty. One in four older Londoners live in poverty – the highest level in the country – and London has some of the highest living costs in the world. This is the wrong decision at the worst possible time.”
Disabled Freedom Pass holders will be able to continue travelling for free before 9am on weekdays as they are not included in the decision. At yesterday's London Assembly transport committee meeting, Conservative Assembly Member Shaun Bailey questioned why TfL staff could still travel free on their benefits without restrictions at almost all times, but seniors couldn't. Deputy mayor Seb Dance explained: "Looking at the overall numbers, we're talking about a benefit for employees of TfL as opposed to the general population of 60+ Londoners which is obviously much much higher than the payroll of TfL. That's the simple answer. In terms of forgone revenue from nominee passes of TfL employees, it's negligible [...] employee benefits are a key part of terms and conditions of employment."
Around two in five people who travel on London's buses either don't pay or use a discounted fare, with the 620 route TfL bus network allowed to make a financial loss as other parts of the not-for-profit business make profits which can cover for it. Age UK London's research shows 27 per cent of 60+ Oystercard or Freedom Pass holders that travelled before 9am on weekdays say they have had to cut costs elsewhere to afford the travel fares now the concession has stopped.
One silver lining for the silver generation is that TfL has dropped plans to gradually increase the age of the 60+ Oystercard's eligibility each year until it is effectively withdrawn. On this news Ms Wood added: "We are pleased to see the plans to phase out the 60+Oyster Card have been shelved. This is something we have been campaigning against for over a year. Our supporters have been clear that this is a vital concession and it’s good news that their voices have been listened to."
Mayor Sadiq Khan said: "I froze TfL fares for five years from 2016 to make transport more affordable for millions of Londoners. But my hands have been tied since the pandemic by the strict conditions set by the government in the recent emergency funding agreement for TfL, which means fares have to be increase in London by the same amount as National Rail fares – 5.9 per cent." TfL's bus and tram fares will go up to £1.75 for a Hopper ticket or £5.25 for the daily price cap.
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