Forum Topic

Freedom Passes

I see on this site that Freedom Passes will no longer be valid before 9am. Pre-Covid they were never valid on the Tube and Overground services until 09:30 but were valid on buses. Anyone know if the new rule applies to buses now as well?

Hugh Walton ● 2134d14 Comments

Excellent! Now the restrictions are back, I look forward to announcing that I am twirly.

Frances Clarke ● 2132d

I had to look up “twirly”. Clearly I don’t get out early enough to have to ask the question.  Apparently it can also mean horny.  Gosh.

Jonathan Callaway ● 2133d

'Pre-Covid they were never valid on the Tube and Overground services until 09:30 but were valid on buses.'Incorrect. They've been valid round the clock on tubes and overground for many years.Pre Covid Freedom Passes were valid before 9.30 on buses and tube but only after 9.30 on SW trains.

Jane Carter ● 2133d

'Pre-Covid they were never valid on the Tube and Overground services until 09:30 but were valid on buses.'Incorrect. They've been valid round the clock on tubes and overground for many years.The present restriction is for the duration of the crisis to keep numbers down during the morning rush hour, which is always shorter than the evening rush hour.

Frances Clarke ● 2134d

The TfL statement:https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2020/june/temporary-suspension-of-free-travel-for-older-person-s-freedom-pass-and-60-passengers-during-morning-peak-hours

Michael Ixer ● 2134d

When the deal was first announce a couple of weeks ago I saw a news report that Freedom passes would be restricts to 09:30-23:00 which seemed odd. I assumed it was some journalist making it up. I agree, Jane the TfL announcement just indicates a restriction 04:30-09:00 Monday to Friday. 

Michael Ixer ● 2134d

According to TFLFrom Monday 15 June, changes to the ticketing system will mean these cards are automatically set to be not valid during the morning peak period (04:30 to 09:00) Monday to Friday. They will continue to be valid at all other times on weekdays and all day on weekends and Bank Holidays.No mention of late night restrictions

Jane Carter ● 2134d

I've always called it my "Twirly Card" and just assumed it wasn't valid before 9.30, but then I don't travel that early anyway.

Bunny Payne ● 2134d

I'm less concerned about the restrictions in the morning but it seems the pass is no longer valid after 23:00. Surely there isn't that much congestion on late buses or the night tube service.I can understand a restriction between 07:00 and 09:00 / 09:30 but not at late evening hours.

Manfred Mareck ● 2134d

Isn't it just a temporary measure to ease congestion in the morning until the pandemic is over? (Ok, that could be a while.) To be honest, I don't see it saves money, most of the people I know with Freedom passes or Over 60 cards rarely travel before 9:30. I've only been on a tube a handful of times in the past year to attend specific conference sessions at Olympia, ExCel or Astrofest, Kensington ... or at the weekends to attend astronomy/astrophysics conferences ... but non of that's happening at the moment, it's gone on-line.

Michael Ixer ● 2134d

I regularly used my Freedom Pass on the tube before 9.30. I always thought it generous, given that younger people have to get to work.But I suppose TfL is now so strapped for cash. I'm just relieved the FP is still available

Elizabeth Balsom ● 2134d

Hugh, it is my understanding that Freedom Passes were valid on the tube before 9.30. In fact I have used mine in the past to get to, say, Victoria in order to catch a post-9.30 train from there. The tfl website says “ From Monday 15 June, we're changing the hours you can travel with your Older Person's Freedom Pass to reduce crowding on our services and help social distancing.  You will only be able to travel on our services from 09:00, Monday to Friday. You can still travel at any time on weekends and bank holidays. ” That looks to me as if buses are included in the new rules.

Catherine Schade ● 2134d

My understanding is that they weren't available on National Rail before 9:30am (subject to some specific service exclusions or variances) but could be used at any time on all TfL services: tube, buses, trams and overground services. (Two gears ago I regularly used the tube before 9 or 9:30 am.) My understanding the new exclusion on use before 9am applies to all TfL services including buses but I'm not 100% sure.

Michael Ixer ● 2134d

Yes it applies to all travel. In addition the over 60s oyster is the same . Allegedly its only during the crisis to ease the congestion as people return to work.They'll be calling us oldies the twirlies as they used to in the 90s.when queuing at a bus stop before 930 even though they new they were they'd ask ' are we too early'?

Andy Pike ● 2134d