Are London Buses Still Free?

By Anna Duncan

London is one of the busiest cities in the world, and it is known for its iconic red buses. These buses have been offering an affordable and convenient way for commuters to travel around the city for decades. There has been much discussion recently about whether London buses are still free, so let’s dive in and find out.

History of Free Bus Travel

The idea of free bus travel in London was first introduced in 1973 by the Greater London Council (GLC). The GLC was responsible for all public transport in London at that time, and they made bus travel free for elderly people and disabled individuals.

In 2008, the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, extended this scheme to include children under 16 years old. This meant that anyone under the age of 16 could travel on a bus for free at any time of day without needing a ticket.

Changes to Free Bus Travel

Since then, there have been some changes to the free bus travel scheme. In 2010, the government announced that it would no longer provide funding for children’s free bus travel. However, Mayor Johnson decided to continue funding this scheme using Transport for London’s budget.

In 2014, Mayor Johnson extended the free bus travel scheme again, this time to include everyone aged 60 or over. This meant that anyone over 60 could also travel on a bus for free at any time of day without needing a ticket.

The Current Situation

As of now, only children under 16 and people over 60 can travel on London buses for free. Everyone else must pay a fare to use these services. The cost of a single journey using an Oyster card or contactless payment is £1.50, and this fare allows passengers to travel on one bus for an unlimited number of journeys within an hour.

It’s important to note that there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, people with certain disabilities or medical conditions may be eligible for free bus travel. Additionally, some employers offer free bus travel as part of their employee benefits package.

Conclusion

In summary, London buses are no longer completely free. Only children under 16 and people over 60 can currently travel on these buses without paying a fare. While this may be disappointing news for some commuters, the cost of a single journey is still relatively affordable at £1.50 and allows unlimited travel on one bus within an hour.

  • Key Takeaways:
    • Free bus travel was introduced in London in 1973 for elderly and disabled individuals
    • In 2008, the scheme was extended to include children under 16
    • In 2014, the scheme was extended again to include people over 60
    • Currently, only children under 16 and people over 60 can travel on London buses for free
    • The cost of a single journey using an Oyster card or contactless payment is £1.50

Overall, London buses remain an affordable and convenient way to get around the city despite the changes made to the free bus travel scheme.

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