Forum Topic

Freedom pass usage

Just heard about the scheme to allow the 60+ Freedom passes to be used 24 hours a day.http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=20216I am in two minds about this - but thinking about it I'm not sure it such a good idea. It does rather compound rush hour, by how much I'm not sure, and secondly the boroughs themselves have to pay it.I saw on the news that it's unfair if you have to get somewhere early, a hospital appointment was quoted. In which case don't make an appt. that early! I've moved appts. around whenever possible so is this unreasonable?

David Eales ● 6494d13 Comments

No. Unless the appointments are for treatment or analyses which require an early start. This problem could be resolved by the health authority issuing travel "warrants".

Alan Brainsby ● 6494d

It's not at all easy to move hospital appointments. Half the time you can't even get through to the 'contact number'.I think it's a mistake, personally, making it 24 hours. It seems unnecessary unless you are still working, in which case you can pay like everyone else.

Susan Kelly ● 6494d

I would tend to agree with Susan.But maybe someone has found that there are enough 60 plussers  (OK - old farts) to swing the voting.Don't forget that most West End pubs, and also "Midtown" pubs are cheaper than Ealing's watering-holes.

Alan Brainsby ● 6494d

Bit harsh this 'expensive' Ealing bars tack - try the Sir Michael Balcon (spelling?), The Red Lion & Pineapple, The New Inn (St Marks Road), The Red Lion (Ealing Green), Old Actonians, Ealing Cricket Club, The Questors and Ealing Lawn Tennis Club. All have bar prices which compare favourably with West End pubs - and many are in much more pleasant surroundings than W1.COME ON LET'S TALK UP THE BITS OF EALING WHICH ARE GOOD!!

Eric Alan Leach ● 6493d

"Don't forget that most West End pubs, and also "Midtown" pubs are cheaper than Ealing's watering-holes."Oh yes? How many old farts do you know who need to find a bar open before 9.30 am?

Graham Weeks ● 6493d

Lots - but I know it's not a competition.However, returning to David's comment about the Freedom Pass (a novelty I know on this forum).I really can't justify the Freedom Pass at all. I'm over 60, not poor and I should really pay for my travel.If the passes are 24 hour, it will cost Ealing Council more to pay for them. As the money the Council uses to pay the Mayor/TfL is taken from the car parking fines account, the Council will be asking Alcoa/Alpacka (or whatever they are called) to raise even more than the £17 million they raised last year from parking fines.

Eric Alan Leach ● 6493d

Well, having paid my taxes, i am all for the Freedom Pass. But now we have no smoking everywhere can we introduce some no phones zones? I long for freedom from other idiots' conversations.

Graham Weeks ● 6493d

I was thinking of those old farts who needed to get home after 04:30 after a night of quaffing cheaper ale.

Alan Brainsby ● 6493d

Can someone explain to me why it should cost more to use the freedom pass before 9.00am,if the people who now use it after 9.00 use it before it is still the same anount of people only going out earlier.

Mavis Walker ● 6493d

Lost revenue from ticket sales.A 60+ year old having a day time job would only have had to buy an inward ticket, the return being free on the Freedom Pass. Next year the inward ticket will be free also.Although I will potentially benefit from 24 hr use I think it should have been for buses and trams only; not the Underground or mainline railways. I wonder if TfL will increase the number of "incapacity" seats on the buses and trains?

Alan Brainsby ● 6493d

The extension in Freedom Pass hours is not applicable to National Rail services before 9:30, so those of us who travel into town from West Ealing or points further west and north can't travel early to Paddington.

Robin Hall ● 6490d

re  COME ON LET'S TALK UP THE BITS OF EALING WHICH ARE GOOD!!        xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx      agreed, but why are they STILL good. Is it because by and large they have remained unpatronised by our " new residents " and have retained their indigenous nature. But also note, the number of public houses closing are reaching high numbers. Did I read 500 per week, but whatever, an alarming rate and due I suggest in part to the number of potential patrons falling.

Tony Price ● 6490d

and no food too. Suffering some other plank's McDonalds on the tube is puke making.

Penny Crocker ● 6489d