Low-paid TfL contractors to get free travel across network

Free travel for the lowest paid Transport for London (TfL) contractors is being introduced by the Mayor of London in response to the growing cost-of-living crisis. 

Sadiq Khan’s measure means that about 5,000 workers will travel for free on the capital’s transport networks, who were not previously eligible for free travel.  

The initiative will benefit cleaning, catering and security staff not directly employed by TfL, but who carry out essential work for them, and the cost will be covered by City Hall. 

Free travel on TfL services is already given to staff employed directly by TfL, and Oyster cards are also issued to bus drivers and operators of other TfL services as part of their benefit package.  

The new free travel scheme for eligible staff of suppliers to TfL will be introduced by April 2023.  

The Mayor of London said: “London’s transport workers, who did so much for us during the pandemic, continue to play an essential and much-valued role in keeping our city’s transport network safe and operating. 

“I’m deeply concerned about the fact the spiralling cost of living is hitting those on lower incomes the hardest. That’s why I’m taking unprecedented action to support London’s lowest paid transport workers by removing the cost of using public transport. 

“I will continue to do everything I can to help Londoners with spiralling costs, including providing targeted support directly to those on lower incomes, and to prevent financial inequalities widening further so we can continue to build a better, fairer and more prosperous city for all Londoners.” 

Pictured top: A worker for TfL installs roundel (Picture: TfL)