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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 11 April 2008

Anger at 24-hour Freedom Pass snub

PENSIONERS have attacked Islington’s ruling Liberal Democrats over their opposition to a plan by London mayor Ken Livingstone for round-the-clock free travel for the over-60s.
Labour councillors urged the Town Hall to back plans for a 24-hour Freedom Pass at a full council meeting last Thursday night.
But the Lib Dems argued that, while they wholeheartedly supported the Freedom Pass, free 24-hour travel for pensioners would make the system even more congested than normal.
Mr Livingstone has vowed to extend the pass to 24 hours if re-elected, although his political opponents have claimed it is an election bribe.
Lib Dem social services chief Councillor John Gilbert said last week that, rather than extend the pass, Mr Livingstone should be aiming to improve buses and Tube trains for all users.
He added: “Currently, we have bendy buses which people don’t like, buses that are unreliable, and appalling overcrowding on the Tube at rush hour.”
Labour transport spokesman Councillor Wally Burgess said a 24-hour pass would not significantly increase the cost.
He added: “What about the pensioner, for example, who needs to attend a hospital or doctor’s appointment early in the morning? Not everything can be done after 9am when the pass kicks in.”
He was supported by George Durack, chairman of Islington Pensioners’ Forum, who said: “It was totally wrong of the Lib Dems to oppose this extension. There are many occasions when I personally have had to travel in the early mornings – to open the pensioners’ forum offices, for example. Or to go to a hospital appointment.”
Forum secretary Angela Sinclair agreed: “The pass is expensive to fund but it is worthwhile and a wonderful opportunity for hard-up pensioners to get around.”
However, pensioner Doris Daly supported the Lib Dem stance. “We’ve earned this pass and it must be maintained but I’m against the extension to include early rush hour,” she said. “People of an advanced age would prefer to travel after 9am and not before.”

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