Press Release

Mayor urges under 16s to apply for free bus travel

20 December 2005

Young people under 16 who have not yet applied for their child Oyster cards should apply now as old style photo-cards will not be valid from 2 January.

Two hundred thousand young people have already applied for free travel on buses and trams.

Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone said:
"From January 2 old style photo-cards for young people will no longer be valid which means they will have to pay the adult fare if they don't have a child Oyster card, which now gives totally free of charge travel on London buses and trams. I am therefore urging young people and their parents to apply now for child Oyster cards so they can claim free travel."

"In just four months two hundred thousand young Londoners have applied for their child Oyster card to benefit from free travel on buses and trams.'

Young people who are eligible, but haven't applied for free travel, are urged to do so as soon as possible as old style photo-cards will not be valid from 2 January. 14 and 15 year olds must carry a child Oyster card to be eligible for free travel although any child under 14 can also apply for one.

Sarah Archer, 15, Deputy Youth MP for Westminster, UK Youth Parliament said:
"Free travel helps me to get around London in a safe way and I don't have to worry about having money for buses any more. I think it's brilliant! I use it to travel to school which is important, and because I can travel free on buses during leisure time, I make the most of it to visit friends, go to youth parliament and the gym."

Gill Fitzhugh MBE, Chief Executive at Rugby Portobello Trust said:
"The Rugby Portobello Trust works with young people who need support to develop into positive and fully participating members of society. We support free travel as a practical way of opening up opportunities for young people by breaking down the cost barrier. This helps encourage young people to make the most of what London has to offer, enabling much greater access to education, employment, social and so many other positive opportunities."

George McNamara from the children's charity NCH said:
"It's great to hear that so many young people across London are benefiting from this scheme. Free travel has opened up numerous opportunities for youngsters, in particular those from low-income families, enabling them to make the most from what London has to offer. Clearly this has proved to be an innovative and worthwhile initiative and I would urge all young people in the capital to take full advantage of the Mayor's scheme."