Freedom Pass Campaign 2026

In January 2026 the media reported that London Councils (a cross-party organisation that represents all of London's 32 borough councils and the Corporation of the City of London) were planning to review the Freedom Pass. They say it was costing councils £324m at a time when all local authorities were struggling to cover costs. 

Age UK London are opposed to any cuts or changes to the Freedom Pass and have vowed to campaign to protect affordable travel for older Londoners which is a lifeline for many. The Freedom Pass and 60+ Oyster allows older Londoners to work, volunteer, see family and friends and socialise, care for family and grandchildren and much more. 

On 14 January 2026 London Councils Labour Group announced that they would block any review and this was backed by Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan. You can read the story here.

Age UK London released the following statement in response to this news. 

We are pleased to see that London Councils Labour Group backed by the Mayor have blocked the threat to the Freedom Pass, but this doesn’t mean the review will go away. It’s a shame that this could not have happened before London Councils mooted that a review would happen, starting a tidal wave of concern and anxiety for thousands of older Londoners for whom the Freedom Pass is a lifeline.

With a council election coming up London councillors will want to tread carefully on this issue, but we suspect that this is not going away and that clearly the Freedom Pass will continue to be scrutinised. We know older Londoners will continue to stand up to any changes being made whether its now or in the months and years to come.

Campaigning for affordable travel since the pandemic

Age UK London has been campaigning to protect the Freedom Pass and 60+ Oyster since after the pandemic when restictions were imposed stopping travel before 9am on buses and the underground and on trains before 9.30am. 

Find out more about our campaigning to protect affordable travel.