Response to media coverage relating to a review of the Freedom Pass

Age UK London, who campaigns on behalf of older Londoners knows that the Freedom Pass and 60+ Oyster makes a significant difference to the lives of older Londoners.

We are concerned to read the reports in the media that "London Councils officials will conduct a comprehensive review and gather evidence for the likely impact of potential changes".

Age UK London are opposed to any cuts or changes to the Freedom Pass. This will mostly affect older Londoners in their 60s on the lowest incomes who are disproportionately more likely to be from Black Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, unpaid carers, those with chronic health conditions and disabled Londoners.

Age UK London is also concerned about the amount of scrutiny in the media around the costs of 60+ Oyster Card which is issued by TfL. 

Age UK London believe that any cuts or changes to either the Freedom Pass or the 60+ Oyster will significantly impact many older Londoners. 

There are several factors that brings Age UK London to this conclusion:

Poverty amongst older Londoners

There are significant levels of financial hardship amongst older Londoners. Concessionary travel makes a significant difference to the 24% of Londoners aged 60-64 that live in poverty. The poverty rate is 23% in the rest of England for this age group.

Poverty rates after housing costs for age groups 66-69 is 22%; 70-74 is 21%; 75-79 is 22% and then it rises showing that over a quarter of 80–84-year-olds are living in poverty.  According to the Trust for London over the last 10 years poverty rates amongst older Londoners have increased from 18% to 22% whilst for all other age groups it has decreased.

Financial insecurity impacts how older people use public transport

We know that older people can make savings on their weekly grocery shop when using their concessionary travel cards. They can shop at larger supermarkets making significant savings.

“Less getting cheaper food from bigger supermarkets not within walking distance, less chance to see people, less being out and about in London”.

Polling published by Age UK in 2025 shows that over one in five older people (22%) said they had to cut back on transport and vehicle costs, including public transport as a result of cost of living pressures.

The effects on health, placing pressure on the NHS

Any cutbacks are also a cause for deep concern when it comes to health. People need to have a social life to be well, and without one they risk becoming isolated and lonely. Transport is key to this, it includes people travelling to meet friends, family or to visit a community or social group. It is also vital in helping people to access GP, hospital or other health appointments.

Concessionary travel can lead to wider health benefits. Research has found that people using public transport because they have a concessionary pass are likely to walk more.

“Id be devastated and feel even more isolated than I already do. The 60s Oystercard was life changing for me.  With so many downsides to old age its one of the few perks to getting older. We oldies use the card for EVERYTHING”

“Yes. I would limit my travel very significantly. It would impact my mental health”

Examples of people that benefit most from concessionary travel:

Unpaid carers: Carer prevalence is greatest in the UK amongst adults in their 50’s and early 60’s. This age group is twice as likely to be carers as a younger adult group. The largest group of carers is working age older women. Many unpaid carers in London aged 60-66 use their 60+ Oyster to travel to older parents who they help to get out of bed, dress and have breakfast in the morning. One in four carers lives below the poverty line.

Job seekers: The high levels of redundancy among this age group since the pandemic is one factor that has led to increased unemployment amongst the 60-64 age group. People traveling for interviews and to look for work (often needing to travel significant distances) are among those that benefit most from the 60+ Oystercard.

The State Pension Age increases as well as the Government’s drive to encourage people to keep working later into their lives are at odds with the lack of affordable public transport for older workers to get to and from work.

Key workers and others in lower wage jobs: Health and social care are among the sectors with the highest proportion of older workers. Retail and office administration are also areas which see a higher proportion of older workers, particularly older women.

Many will be in low-wage jobs, and many will work part-time. One in four workers in their early 60s works part-time and one in three part-time workers lives below the poverty line.

Although workers in their early 60s are receiving a salary, many will be in low-wage jobs and many will work part-time. One in four workers in their early 60s works part-time and one in three part-time workers lives below the poverty line.

Volunteers: Accessible and affordable transport helps enable London’s army of older volunteers who are crucial to many frontline charities (Londoners between 50 and 64 are more likely to be volunteers than in many other parts of England). Research has also found that Londoners from global majority backgrounds are more likely to have volunteered since March 2020.

Charities across London rely on volunteers using their 60+ Oyster Card
Accessible and affordable transport helps enable London’s army of older volunteers who are crucial to many frontline charities (Londoners between 50 and 64 are more likely to be volunteers than in many other parts of England). Research has also found that BAME Londoners are more likely to have volunteered since March 2020 specifically to support the response to coronavirus compared with white Londoners.

People ages 60-66 with a disability or long-term health condition are more likely to face financial hardship. They may have been less able to work and save during working-age and often face higher living costs. Scope estimates that in 2025 disabled households needed on average an extra £1,095 per month to have the same standard of living as non-disabled households.

“It would be a big help in not looking for parking and help hospital visits as buses stop near the entrances for less walking and parking and petrol is very expensive”

Other significant benefits to concessionary travel

Reducing car use.

An Age UK London survey carried out in March 2025 on behalf of TfL and with 709 respondents. Almost 8% (56 of respondents) said using their 60+ Oyster means they leave their car at home.

Supporting the local economy. Older people are less likely to do online shopping and more likely to want to spend money on the high street.

The 60+ Oyster is not free

The 60+ Oyster costs Transport for London (TfL) £84m 2023-24, according to new figures obtained in a freedom of information (FOI) request. It is worth pointing out that in London, there are 383,000 active users of the 60+ Oyster photocard offered to  Londoners aged 60 to 66. There is an application fee of £35 (that came into affect in July 2025) and a £16 annual renewal fee (that came into affect in July 2025) - generating funds each year for TfL. Age UK London estimate that for the 2026-2027 financial year the amount generated by 60+ Oyster card application fees (£35 per person) and the annual renewal fee  (£16 per person) will be around £10 million.