• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

MayorWatch

London News and Comment

  • NEWS
  • COMMENT
  • Twitter

Row over Free Oyster Cards for Kids

December 8, 2006 - Staff

Ken Livingstone has accused the Conservatives of wanting to “scrap” the free Oyster cards given to London’s children following comments made by Tory Assembly Member Roger Evans on his blog.

Evans recently wrote that “the latest estimate for the cost of under 18 free travel is £55 million” and accused the Mayor of “shamelessly” spinning the scheme “a redistribution benefit.”

A visitor to the site then asked Evans: “You have previously said that free bus travel for children is a luxury London cannot afford. Does this mean that your party’s policy for the next mayoral election is that the free bus journeys for under-18s will be abolished if you win?”

In response Evans said: “Policy will be a matter for the [Mayoral] candidate to decide when they are chosen, however given the cost of this concession, the levels of anti social behaviour, and the lack of control over the issuing and checking of passes, I will be recommending abolition – if asked…”

Posting yesterday on the Guardian’s Comment is Free site the Mayor claimed the comments meant “we have a Tory party proclaiming a caring image but proposing to abolish free bus travel for children”.

Mr Livingstone said he would “fight all the way, any plan to abolish free bus travel for children, which was one of my key election commitments in 2004” and branded the prospect of axing the free Oyster cards as the most “spiteful policy since the removal of free school milk.”

MayorWatch Comment: Ken Gives Tories Wake Up Call

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Tagged With: Fares, Oyster

RECENT UPDATES

Crossrail delayed until 2021 and bosses say project could go a further £650 million over budget

TfL uses WiFi data to improve Journey Planner’s accuracy

Mike Brown to leave TfL for new role overseeing Parliament’s renovation

Transport for London seeks views on new Bakerloo line extension plans




Popular

City Hall calls in Deloitte to boost BAME progression and close ethnicity pay gap

City Hall to review pay levels amid recruitment and staff retention concerns

TfL appoints ‘Build to Rent’ partner and promises to built 3,000 new rental homes across London

TfL confirms £1bn deal to sell and leaseback Elizabeth line trains

FEATURED

City Hall halts London Overground ticket office closures but many will still see opening hours reduced

Transport for London confirms bus cuts will go ahead despite passenger opposition

City Hall and TfL publish action plan to cut lorry and van deliveries in London

TfL planning return of annual fare hikes as agency looks to balance books following Crossrail delay

GOT A STORY?

As the original London news and scrutiny site we've been casting an eye over the capital's public services and politicians since 1999.

 

Many of our top stories started with a tip-off from a reader - if you've got something you'd like us to cover get in touch and we'll do the rest.

Stay In Touch

  • E-mail
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2019 MayorWatch Publications Limited · MayorWatch is Registered Trademark · All Rights Reserved · Contact Us · Terms of Use · Privacy Policy

MayorWatch Publications Limited · 20-22 Wenlock Road · London N1 7GU · Company Number 6291816

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.