Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Petition to Sadiq
The 60+ and Freedom passes for Londoners is under threat. Most of us Londoners are on low incomes. The taking away of this (paid for in taxes) could leave to a lot of isolation and a curtailment of the few things we have left, like museums, culture and shopping.
It doesn't take long to do - 30 seconds, that's all
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-the-60-card-and-freedom...
Thanks
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by adamvietnam on
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I'm sure the Mayor is well aware of this.
Unfortunately the withdrawal of the passes was imposed on him by our Tory government as one of their conditions of a loan to TFL. This loan was needed when most day-to-day revenue was lost due to the lockdowns and the stay at home laws.
So whereas you're absolutely right on the importance of these passes, energies should be directed towards the real culprits of this vandalism. A statement from the Mayor here :
https://www.london.gov.uk/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-faqs/wha...
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Permalink Reply by John D on
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Do we need to panic ? Unless there has been a change, the Mayor's statement says that there is a temporary restriction on the use of free passes only at peak hours.
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Permalink Reply by Fred on
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The London Councils eligibility tracker says that you now need to be 67 to qualify for a freedom pass. This does not appear to be a temporary measure, despite what the Mayor’s Office statement says.
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Permalink Reply by Gordon T on
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That's because eligibility for an Older Person's Freedom Pass has always been tied to State Pension age, which of course has risen over the last decade. A separate issue to the current funding problem described by the Mayor.
So far, TfL is continuing to fund the 60+ Pass which fills the age gap, and that's why the peak hours travel has been withdrawn in preference to killing off the 60+ Pass. Watch this space though, but it would be a vote-loser in Mayoral election year.
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Indeed, the petition's declaration "told to remove the passes" is not so.
London boroughs fund and manage the basic 0900-0430 scheme, not TfL, who only funded the 'at any time' topup (introduced by Boris when Mayor of London) which has been withdrawn.
The petition dates from four months ago and until two days ago only had 25 signatories. It's hosted by 38 Degrees, the activist group but I can't see that they've sent out a recent email about it.
What may have provoked an increase in signatories (currently 3500 or so) is that the current round of TfL funding runs out on 31 March. Without further funding to alleviate the drop in fares revenue, TfL would quickly run out of money and would have to cease operations altogether (except for the Woolwich ferry, who knew).
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Permalink Reply by Bob Ruggles on
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Signed before reading comments
Not a great supporter of 38's Petitions
Threat is just so Mayor get get further support. for His growing number of Staff, who in General do Not Serve Tax Payers !
Also doubt if many have used their passes in last year. So Not really costing a lot
I have one for years. But due to health issues , not currently being used
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Update 22 March: TfL top-up funding now extended to 18 May.
More details at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-56483422
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