The number of veterans benefitting from free travel in the capital has increased from just over 3,500 in 2009/10 to 4,100 in the current financial year according official figures.
The increase was revealed by Mayor of London Boris Johnson in a written response to a question submitted by Assembly Member Mike Tuffrey at last week’s Mayor’s Question Time.
The latest figures show the Veterans pass scheme is helping an all-time high number of people access the capital’s transport network. Introduction of the pass was a key manifesto commitment by Mayor Johnson in 2008’s election campaign.
According to Johnson’s answer, passholders saved an average of £200 last year at an overall cost of £700,000 to Transport for London. The cost to TfL so far this year is £500,000.
At last week’s meeting Johnson said coalition government Ministers had initially questioned the need for the capital to offer a range of concessionary travel schemes but had backed down in the face of lobbying by him.
