Petition For Older People's Freedom Pass For Free Travel

The following received from the Haringey Federation of Residents Association

The three-year funding deal for the Freedom Pass agreed between Government and London's Councils in 2008 has been re-opened by the Department for Transport which is seeking ways to cut costs. As a result, London is set to lose £29m (half its agreed funding for 2010-11).

Leaders of London 's Boroughs are opposed to this re-opening of the previously agreed three-year funding deal, and have said that, although they will endeavour to protect the Freedom Pass , the money will have to be found SOMEWHERE. THERE IS CONCERN THE AXE MAY FALL ON THE FREEDOM PASS, OR AT LEAST SOME ASPECTS OF IT.

A Petition has been organised to demand that the Prime Minister intervene to protect the Freedom Pass's funding, and every London resident who might be affected is urged to sign it. It has been submitted by Barry Macleod-Cullinane of London Councils, and the wording on 10 Downing Street website reads -

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to intervene to secure the Freedom Pass by protecting the previously agreed level of concessionary travel funding for London , for 2010-11, from the proposals currently being consulted on by the DfT that would cut £29m of agreed funding for the boroughs, following the DfT's re-opening of a 30year funding deal in its third year.

The deadline for signing this Petition is January 29, 2010 and, currently just over 1000 signatures have been attached, but this is unlikely to be enough so if you feel inclined, do click here to sign up.