Freedom Pass

Infobox electronic payment | | name= Freedom Pass | location= Greater London | launched= | service_1= London Underground | service_2= London Buses | service_3= London Overground | service_4= National Rail | service_5= DLR | service_6= Tramlink | variant_1= Elderly
variant_2= Disabled
technology_1= MIFARE
manager= London Councils
homepage= http://www.freedompass.org/

Freedom Pass is a scheme, and card issued by that scheme, which began in 1974 to provide free travel to residents of Greater London who are aged 60 and over or who have a disability.

The card itself is a contactless smartcard of the same design and specifications as the Oyster Card. The card was issued from 2004 to replace the previous paper tickets and provides free travel on all London Underground, London Overground, Bus, Tram, Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and National Rail services in the Greater London area and on a limited number of services outside this area. The scheme is funded by the London boroughs and managed by London Councils (formerly the Association of London Government). Freedom Pass holders may also get a discount on some Thames Riverboat services.

Freedom Passes issued because of disability, orange in colour, can be used at any time on the Tube, London Overground, Bus, DLR and Tram services, and after 9.30am Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and public holidays on most National Rail services (with some exceptions where passes are valid at any time).

Elderly Freedom Passes issued to those aged 60 or over, blue in colour, can be used on the Tube, London Overground, Bus, DLR and Tram services Monday to Friday from 9.00am until 4.30am the following morning, plus all day at weekends and public holidays. This is reduced to 9.30am on most National Rail services (with some exceptions where passes can be used from 9.00am).

The Freedom Pass is not valid for travel on National Rail train services operated by Gatwick Express, National Express East Coast, Midland Mainline, Virgin Trains and Heathrow Express, or on Heathrow Connect between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow.Additionally, the Freedom Pass is not valid for first class travel, or for travel betweenHarrow & Wealdstone and Watford Junction on London Midland or Southern services.

Since April 1st 2008, the Freedom Pass has been valid on all local bus services anywhere in England (between 9.30am and 11.00pm). This does not apply to National Coach Services, but does apply to some coach routes, for example some of routes operated by Green Line Coaches. Elderly bus pases issued in other parts of the country also now apply nationally to local bus services in England only.

Validity will be extended to 24 hours for the Elderly Freedom Pass on TfL services (Tube, London Overground, Bus, Tram and DLR) from 2 January 2009. [http://www.freedompass.org/important.htm]

National Rail Exceptions

Between the following stations the elderly Freedom Pass is valid from 9am Monday to Friday and at any time on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. The disabled Freedom Pass is valid at any time.

*Amersham - Marylebone
*Finsbury Park - King's Cross or Moorgate
*Euston - Harrow & Wealdstone (or Watford on London Overground services only)
*Harrow & Wealdstone - Clapham Junction via Kensington (Olympia)
*Kentish Town - Moorgate or Elephant & Castle or London Bridge
*Richmond - Gunnersbury
*Stratford - Custom House
*Stratford - Liverpool Street
*Upminster - Fenchurch Street or Liverpool Street via Barking
*West Ruislip - South Ruislip

Free travel is valid between London Stations and Dartford or Swanley after 9.30am.

External links

* [http://www.freedompass.org/home.html Official site]
* [http://www.freedompass.org/documents/FPDFreedomPassv3.pdf Freedom Pass Validity Map] showing National Rail, tube, Docklands Light Railway and Croydon Tramlink, November 2007