Over 1.2 million Londoners could lose free bus and rail travel as councils review the costly Freedom Pass scheme.
Freedom Passes could be scrapped (Image: Getty)
More than 1.2 million London state pensioners could see their free travel benefits cut under a major review of the Freedom Pass scheme, as rising costs put pressure on local authority budgets across the capital.
The taxpayer bill for providing free public transport to those aged 66 and over is projected to reach £372 million in the 2026-2027 financial year, a nearly 12% increase on last year. London Councils, which manages the scheme on behalf of all 33 boroughs, has announced a comprehensive review to explore ways to reduce spending.
Freedom Pass currently grants holders complimentary travel across all TfL services (Image: Getty)
Stephen Boon, chief operating officer at London Councils, told the London Standard: “It’s costing more than boroughs can afford.”
He added that the organisation will now gather evidence to assess how potential changes might affect users and finances.
The Freedom Pass currently grants holders complimentary travel across all Transport for London (TfL) services and national rail routes within Greater London, excluding morning peak hours for those aged 66 and above. Those aged 60-65 get a 60+ London Oyster Photocard, which provides discounted or free travel on London transport.
Funding comes from parking permit charges, traffic penalty revenues, and contributions from all boroughs, as well as the City of London Corporation.
London Councils estimates that from April 2026, boroughs will fund approximately 279 million journeys, including 221 million bus trips and 44.7 million Tube rides.
Each journey is effectively charged to the borough where it begins.
The review will consider several options for reducing costs. Possibilities include raising the age threshold for eligibility, introducing means-testing for applicants, and removing national rail travel from the scheme, which could save £150 million annually, according to Mr Boon.
However, any reduction in rail coverage would require parliamentary legislation, as the Greater London Authority Act mandates that the pass must cover all TfL transport modes.
Mr Boon added that London’s scheme is far more generous than elsewhere in the UK.
“It’s more than a bus pass, which is what it is in the rest of the country,” he said.
The recent surge in costs has been attributed to fare rises exceeding inflation, putting extra strain on borough budgets. Outside London, state pensioners are only entitled to free bus travel, meaning the capital’s offering is uniquely comprehensive.
In addition to the Freedom Pass, TfL provides other discounts, such as free travel for children aged 10 and under, and reduced fares for certain age groups and demographics using an Oyster card.
