Roland Perry wrote:
In message , at 09:23:06 on
Fri, 7 Feb 2014, Paul Corfield remarked:
I thought it was only available after
9.30 but so as to exclude those in most regular jobs but on
checking the 9.30 rule now only applies to overground rail, not
buses or the underground. Since when?

Since the 2008 Mayoral Election campaign when both Ken and Boris
promised to extend the hours it could be used on TfL services. Years
of negotiation have failed to secure an earlier start on National Rail
services - presumably because the TOCs want an astronomic amount of
"compensation" for lost revenue.

Why should the TOCs allow free travel? At the very least what Boris
should do is pick up the tab for all TOC trips made by the over-60's,
*paying the regular price* whatever that is according to the time of day.
Surely the numbers for that will drop out of the Oyster computer 'at the
press of a button'.

If it's unaffordable, then don't do it; but at least everyone would know
where they stand [or where they sit, offpeak perhaps].

The TOCs don't fund the free travel for the over 60s. As I understand it,
the London boroughs pay for those entitled to a full Freedom pass, and TfL
pays for those over 60 but not yet entitled to the Freedom pass. But the
cost can't be calculated easily on a journey by journey basis, so gross
estimates have to be used, and are subject to negotiation.