Don’t lose your freedom!

Around 2,500 people in Tower Hamlets have a Freedom Pass which expires on 31st March, and Tower Hamlets Council has reminded them of the procedure for renewing the Pass.
•First, pass-holders will receive a letter early this month explaining what to do – look out for it!
•When the letter arrives, it will ask you to renew your pass online. It’s a simple process which only takes a few minutes. If you don’t have your own computer, or access to someone else’s, you can go online at your nearest Idea Store.
•If you cannot renew your pass online, you can complete the form enclosed with your letter and post it back.

A Tower Hamlets spokesperson confirmed the information, saying: “Anyone whose older person’s pass expires on 31st March is entitled to a new one, provided they still live in London – it’s just a matter of waiting until your letter arrives and following the instructions. New passes can be used as soon as they arrive. There’s no need to wait for the old ones to expire. You should destroy the old pass when your new one arrives.”

The Council has also issued some advice on what not to do.
•Freedom Passes cannot be renewed at the Post Office.
•Pass holders whose passes do not expire on March 31 2016 do not need to do anything as part of this process.
•Passes issued to residents on the grounds of disabilities are not affected by this renewal process. Local authorities review entitlement and residency on an ongoing basis and may contact disabled person pass holders directly.

If you haven’t had your letter yet, be patient – it should be with you by the end of January. If you haven’t had your letter by the end of January, contact Labour Councils, the organisation which administers the scheme, including renewals, via www.freedompass.org or by ringing 0300-330 1433. If you have changed your address since you obtained your pass, contact London Councils now to update their records.

There are approximately 1.2 million Freedom Pass users across London, and more than 130,000 are thought to expire on 31st March. All of them should receive a letter from London Councils.

The Freedom Pass allows eligible residents to travel on public transport for free across the capital – as well as on local bus services throughout England at certain times – and is Europe’s most comprehensive free travel scheme. The Freedom Pass is provided by London local authorities, with support from the Mayor of London, to give older and disabled Londoners free travel on almost all public transport in London.

Enjoy your freedom!

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