This press release was originally issued by the Mayor of London's press office at the Greater London Authority.

Free travel for under-16 year olds is a radical investment in London's future

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone today launched free bus and tram travel for under-16 year olds in London.

The mayor announced that bus and tram fares will be abolished for all under-16s starting in the new academic year.

Free travel was a key manifesto commitment of the Mayor.

Polls conducted by the Greater London Authority show that 80 per cent of Londoners support free fares for under-18s in full-time education.

The scheme will start in September and help hundreds of thousands of families in London by improving young people's access to education, sport and leisure.

Ken Livingstone said: "This is a major step in delivering on my manifesto for the second mayoral term.

"Free travel for under-16 year olds is a radical investment in London's future.

"It will help hundreds of thousands of families across the capital and make visiting London's many attractions more affordable.

"Free bus and tram travel will encourage young people to use public transport, helping to continue London's move away from car journeys.

"It should also cut congestion, pollution and accidents by reducing the school run."

'Good news for families'

John Biggs, member of the London Assembly Transport Committee and the Assembly Member for East London, said: "My colleagues on the London Assembly have been a great supporters of getting more people to use the Capital's public transport.

"We need to develop a culture of bus usage by a generation brought up believing a journey without a car was a journey not worth making.

"This fulfilment of this election promise is good news for young Londoners and good news for families throughout London.

"I am delighted that the Mayor and TfL have earmarked the money to bring this important initiative forward."

Kate Green, Chief Executive of the Child Poverty Action Group, said: "This is a radical step. Low income families typically spend a much greater proportion of their income on transport and this move will directly benefit many of them.

"It will open up access to a mass of facilities and possibilities that have been simply unaffordable."

Roger Draper, Chief Executive of Sport England, said: "This is great news and means that London's youngsters and sports stars of the future can get access to sport more easily.

"We hope many will seize this great new opportunity to get active - whether at a local leisure centre, club training ground or skatepark.

"A London Olympics in 2012 could see home-grown medal winners who were helped by this policy."

Richard Bourn, Transport 2000's London Campaigner, said: "This plan could alter the mindset of the next generation so public transport becomes the natural choice.

"Already car ownership in parts of London is falling and public transport use is rising. This move will help secure and accelerate that trend."

Currently under-11s travel free on London's buses and trams.

From September 1 that will be extended to all children under-16s and to under-18s in full time education next year; 14 and 15 year olds will need an Oyster photocard to travel for free.*

For more information, including how to apply for an Oyster photocard visit TfL's website.

  • *Young people aged 14 or 15 will require an Oyster photocard which will entitle them to free bus and tram use. This can be applied for from 1 July at Post Offices and can be used for free travel on receipt from August 1. Under 14s do not need a Oyster photocard. For more information visit: TfL's website
  • Anyone who abuses the free travel concession will have it withdrawn
  • Details of young athletes attending today's launch:
    • Marcus Mepstead: Marcus is No. 1 in Britain at Fencing (foil) in the U17 age category. 15 years old
    • Chol Manyor: Plays Basketball for regional team. Has used most of his grant for travel to and from training and has not yet progressed to a higher level due to severe financial constraints but his coaches believe he has the potential to. 15 years old
    • Nadina Cameron: Swimmer. 1st and 5th in Britain for 50m freestyle and backstroke respectively in the 12yr age category. Will be 13 on 12th June. Has the opportunity to compete for Britain
    • Shaunagh Brown: Discus thrower. No.1 in Britain in the U15 age category. 15 years old
    • Harry Needs: Swimmer. Nationally Ranked 3rd in 200m Backstroke and 4th in 100m backstroke in his age group. Won 17 medals at the Middlesex County Championships. 13 years old

  • This press release was originally issued by the Mayor of London's press office at the Greater London Authority. For media enquiries please call Hilary Merrett on 020 7983 4753. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000. For non-media enquiries please call the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.