The government has U-turned on scrapping free travel for under-18s in London. 

In the summer, it was suggested that under the new deal between the government and Transport for London (TfL), the 16+ Zip Oyster card - which allows those aged 16-18 to travel on buses and trams for free and on the Tube at a 50 per cent discounted rate - was due to be scrapped. 

However, London’s mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted on Sunday morning to say that free travel for under-18s had been protected. 

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Background: Government urged to save free London travel for 16-18s

In the summer, research suggested that scrapping free travel across London could mean families might struggle to make ends meet and will limit young Londoners’ life choices. 

The research, conducted by Partnership for Young London, surveyed more than 2,000 young people and found that scrapping free travel for 16- to 18-year-olds will restrict freedom of choice for young Londoners over their education and extracurricular activities.

Mary Vine-Morris, the Association of Colleges’ London director, said that “thousands of London’s young people and their parents will be breathing a sigh of relief”. 

She said: “College students rely on their Zip card to access education; without it, many would lose their lifeline to learning - free or subsidised travel. Hitting the poorest families was never the solution, especially now when millions of people are facing hardship due to the pandemic.

“The deal will enable all young people to continue to get to college, without the financial worry of having to pay to travel by bus or tram. The tireless work and campaigning of Child Poverty Action Group, young people and many other organisations, including London colleges, have made this victory possible.”

The Child Poverty Action Group and Age UK London said: “This is a fantastic victory for young and older Londoners, who made a powerful case for why holding on to free travel is so important. It’s right that children can get to school safely, and older people and families don’t have to worry about additional costs at this time of great financial uncertainty.

“We urge the government to continue to protect travel for children, young people and over-60s when this six-month deal runs out. The Zip Card, Older Persons’ Freedom Pass and the 60+ Oyster card are crucial to the wellbeing of younger and older Londoners. Whether it’s as friends and neighbours or grandparents and grandchildren, we know that different generations care about each other; young people will become older and older people have been young. London is at its best when we stand together across the generations.”