Transport for London (TfL) has today set out details of the
temporary changes affecting users of the Older Person’s Freedom
Pass, 60+ Oyster photocard and English National Concessionary
Scheme in London as part of the response to the pandemic.
The temporary changes, to take effect from Monday 15 June, are
being introduced as part of the recent funding and finance
agreement with Government.
They will mean that all passengers with an Older Person’s
Freedom Pass, 60+ Oyster photocard or English National
Concessionary Scheme pass will not be able to use those passes
during morning peak hours in order to help support social
distancing on the public transport network and help control the
coronavirus.
From Monday 15 June, changes to the ticketing system will mean
these cards are automatically set to be not valid during the
morning peak period (04:30 to 09:00) Monday to Friday. They
will continue to be valid at all other times on weekdays and
all day on weekends and Bank Holidays.
Passengers are being advised, where possible, not to travel
immediately after 09:00 to help reduce potential crowding on
buses and trains where effective capacity has been hugely
reduced as a result of the requirement to observe two-metres
social distancing wherever possible. By taking steps to
minimise non-essential travel by others, TfL is making it
easier for those key workers, including for those over 60, to
access public transport for essential journeys.
All passengers using these cards are also being asked to avoid
peak times where possible ahead of the system changes taking
place on Monday 15 June. This is consistent with advice from
the Government and Mayor that everyone should continue to work
from home where possible, walk or cycle if they need to travel
and avoid public transport. Anyone who needs to travel should
do so outside of peak times if there is no option other than to
use public transport.
Passengers with a Disabled Freedom Pass are unaffected and
will, as usual, still be able to travel at all times using
their Pass if they have to use public transport for their
journey.
These temporary arrangements will help reduce the risk of
crowding at the busiest times, which would mean that social
distancing would be more difficult to maintain.
TfL will be directly contacting all 60+ Oyster card holders to
inform them of these temporary changes. TfL is also working
with London Councils, which administers the Freedom Pass
scheme, to inform Freedom Pass holders about the change. TfL
and London Councils will also be updating customers through
websites, advertising and a public awareness campaign.
If passengers have no option other than to use public transport
during the morning peak period – such as those aged over 60 who
are key workers - TfL recommends that they travel using pay as
you go with a contactless card or mobile device, or an Oyster
card. If using pay as you go with Oyster, customers can use the
free TfL Oyster app to check their balance and top it up on the
go to avoid having to visit an Oyster Ticket Stop or ticket
machine. Staff will be on hand to assist older Londoners
making essential journeys who do not have access to contactless
payment card or a smartphone.
Shashi Verma, Chief Technology Officer at Transport for
London said: "We are working hard to ensure that
those who have no option other than to travel using public
transport can do so safely. Given the national requirement to
maintain two-metre social distancing, the capacity of buses and
trains is hugely reduced. These temporary changes to the Older
Person’s Freedom Pass and 60+ Oyster card pass during morning
peak travel will help reduce the risk of crowding when it would
be more difficult to maintain social distancing."
For more information – please visit www.tfl.gov.uk/fares
