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Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, today launched a scheme that will mean up
to 250,000 of the least well-off Londoners can now benefit from half priced bus
and tram travel.
He was joined by Peter Hendy, London's Transport Commissioner, Karen Buck
MP and representatives of groups that will benefit from the initiative, which
will mean that all Londoners on income support are eligible to receive the
benefit, including lone parents, carers, the long-term sick and disabled
people.
The discount will mean that those on the lowest incomes will pay only 50p
for a single bus journey, half the £1 adult Oyster fare and a quarter of the £2
cash fare. From September 30th this year it will be even cheaper as a 10
per cent across-the-board fares cut is also introduced. This will make a single
bus journey just 45p for those on income support.
The scheme follows an agreement signed earlier this year by the Mayor,
Transport for London and Venezuelan Oil Company Petroleos de Venezuela Europa.
This provided a 20 per cent reduction in the price of fuel for London's bus
fleet, which will be passed on to cut fares for some of the least well off
Londoners. At the same time, London will provide Venezuela with advice and
technical expertise in fields of city management in which London is a world
leader such as transport, town planning, tourism and the protection of the
environment.
Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, said:
“From today,
all Londoners on Income Support are eligible for half price travel on London
buses.
"This will make it cheaper and easier for people to go about their lives
and get the most out of London.
"The agreement which makes this possible will also benefit the people of
Venezuela, by providing expertise in areas of city management in which London is
a world leader, such as public transport, planning, tourism and protection for
the environment.
London and Venezuela will be exchanging those things in which they are rich
to the mutual benefit of both."
London's Transport Commissioner, Peter Hendy,
said:
"Oyster has been a huge success with more than 10 million
cards issued since its launch in 2003. It already provides the cheapest fares
for millions of Londoners.This agreement enables us to cut fares even further in
support of the least well off Londoners, who now have even greater access to
jobs, leisure and all this great city has to offer."
Joseph P. Kenney II, whose Citizens Energy programme in
the US cities of Boston and New York, receives an oil subsidy from Venezuela
that is then invested in the heating of homes for the elderly and for the least
well off residents, said:
“A huge congratulations to Mayor Livingstone and
the people of London for welcoming the tremendous efforts by Venezuela and PDVSA
to provide help and assistance to poor people who are so vulnerable to the huge
increase in the cost of using oil and gas for transportation and other vital
necessities.
“The poor today, whether in London or New York, have to face cruel choices
between heating and eating and other basic needs. It is a rare event for the
political leadership of a major city to join in an effort with PDVSA to address
these terrible circumstances – a hearty well done to all of those who made this
happen."
STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT
Karen Buck MP said:
“I'm delighted that over a quarter
of a million Londoners, including many thousands in my constituency, stand to
benefit from this new travel scheme. For those on the lowest incomes, transport
costs can interfere with many day-to-day activities that the rest of us take for
granted - ranging from visiting friends to going to the doctor and doing the
shopping. Families, carers and single parents will therefore value the extra
support this scheme offers.”
Diane Abbott MP said:
“This scheme is part of the
ongoing positive partnership between the people of Venezuela and the people of
London. It shows that globalisation need not be negative. This is an example of
progressive global co-operation.”
Kate Green, Chief Executive, Child Poverty Action Group,
said:
“Central London has the highest rate of child poverty in the
country, with half of children living below the poverty line. Lone parents
families and those with disabled parents are at particular risk of child
poverty. As the main recipients of Income Support, these families will directly
benefit from more affordable travel and London will be a more inclusive
community for those affected by poverty.”
Tony Woodley, Joint General Secretary of Unite, the London Bus
Workers’ Union, said:
“Many Londoners on income support rely on the
bus for getting them around so we welcome the half price travel scheme as a
boost to their living standards. This is sensible move for social justice in the
capital which will also benefit public transport.”
Neil Jameson, Lead Organiser, London Citizens,
said:
“London Citizens welcomes the Mayor's initiative to help some
of the most vulnerable people in the capital. Travel is critical for families
trying to keep in touch with each other so the subsidy is welcome.”
Vivienne Hayes, Director of the Women's Resource Centre,
said:
“The Women’s Resource Centre believes that this deal will
benefit thousands of women on low incomes in London, many of whom also have
children to support. As an organisation that provides support to grassroots
women’s organisations –of which there are between two and three thousand in
London alone- we recognise that there are many barriers preventing women from
breaking the cycle of poverty and becoming active and empowered citizens.
High transport costs leading to a lack of mobility makes it harder for
low-income women to gain decent employment and make a better life for themselves
and their families. Deals such as this, which benefit the most marginalised
women in society, should be applauded for their vision. Reducing some of the
financial burden for women on low incomes should be a continued priority, and
one we hope the Mayor of London will carry forward in years to come.”
Rushanara Ali, London Child Poverty Commissioner,
said:
“On top of the free travel schemes for children and young
people already pioneered in London, this scheme will ensure that the poorest
families will be able to access public transport and get around the city, rather
than being left behind.
Hundreds of thousands of children in London are currently being brought up
in poverty and this is especially high in East London. Forward thinking
initiatives like this will make a real, practical difference, and will make life
easier for families across London.”
Megan Dobney, Regional Secretary, SERTUC,
said:
“Without the ability to travel round London, social exclusion
and poverty are reinforced. This innovative scheme offers a real chance for
thousands of Londoners on income support to use public transport to get out and
about and access the opportunities that this city offers. Trade unionists in
London fully support this progressive measure that benefits low-income families,
the disabled and carers, as well as the economy at large.”
Shaynul Khan, Assistant Executive Director, The East London Mosque
and the London Muslim Centre, said:
“London is one of the world’s
most expensive cities to live and work in, yet it is home to some of the poorest
communities. Initiatives that reduce the cost of living for the most needy are
very welcome. Working within communities we are able to hear their concerns,
such as high transport costs. We commend the Mayor and the Greater London
Authority for introducing practical measures to help Londoners - this initiative
will benefit many thousands of ordinary people on low incomes.”
John Denton, Regional Secretary, Communication Workers Union,
said:
“The CWU in London welcomes the cut in the cost of bus travel
for those on Income Support. This will mean those least able to afford travel in
the capital will be able to more easily access shopping facilities, public
amenities, adult education, leisure facilities and job opportunities without
having to worry whether they can afford it all the time. It is a first class
example of what can be achieved by co-operation for the common good and far
superior to confrontation in the international arena. Everybody wins and the
world is a better and safer place.
London has a fine comprehensive bus network and it is right to encourage
maximum usage throughout the day. Please remember a lot of CWU members receive
Working Families Tax Credit Credit and extending the benefit to these
recipients, who pay out a large amount of their income in fares to go to work,
would be of great assistance to them.”
Stephen Burke - Chief Executive, Counsel and Care,
said:
“Counsel and Care is delighted to support this initiative.
Many older Londoners and their carers who are on low incomes rely on bus travel,
to enable them to maintain their independence and participate in community
activities. The half price travel scheme will contribute greatly to the social
inclusion of more of London’s older people.”
Simin Azami, Refugee Women's Association, said:
“The
Refugee Women’s Association welcomes the announcement that the Londoners on
income support get half price bus and tram travel. This is extremely good news
for our clients who are refugee women and most of whom are on income support. We
also welcome the recent initiatives by the Mayor of London to extend the offer
to loan parents. Many of our clients are loan parents mainly because of wars,
civil wars and political situation in their home countries. Cheaper transport
creates opportunities for refugee women who suffer from isolation and loneliness
to travel to relatives and friends and get involved in the community activities.
They can travel in London as part of discovering London sights, learn about
London as a multicultural and a world class city and get involved in the London
scene. This is a huge step towards their integration and successful resettlement
in London. The cheaper transport will increase refugee women access to services
and training as most training providers do not make contribution to travel costs
and particularly for loan parent on income support, they can not prioritise
travel for training as essential costs. We believe attending training and
gaining qualifications are steps toward gaining employment which in turn will
raise the standard of living. Well done to the Mayor and keep up the excellent
work for people of London.”
Mohammad Sawalha, President of British Muslim Initiative,
said:
“The measure is the latest in a long list of innovative
schemes and increases in funding by the Mayor to support and improve public
transport, whose benefits are being felt right across the capital. Ken
Livingstone as Mayor of London has been serving all section of London's diverse
communities, our city is home to more than 7 million people for this city to
prosper it's paramount that interest of disadvantaged and needy are taken care
of, we believe such initiatives will go long way to address the inequities exist
in our society and ease the burden on poorer families. We congratulate the Mayor
and the Greater London Authority for their efforts in tackling poverty and hope
these kind projects will become a model for other major world capitals to
emulate.”
A spokesperson for UNISON London Region said:
“UNISON
London Region is very supportive of this initiative. We are extremely concerned
about the cost of living and working in London and this scheme shows that with
innovative thinking like this we can end up in the rare position where everyone
is a winner.”
Delroy Pomell, Regional Director of Children's Services for London,
East and South East England, Barnardo's, said: “London has some of the
higher rates of child poverty of any city in the UK, and the high costs of
living can make it very difficult for families in the capital to manage. Schemes
like this are therefore very welcome as a way to help some of the poorest and
socially excluded families participate in everyday activities, such as finding a
job, or taking a child out for the day, which the rest of the population take
for granted.”
Steve Lee, Carers London Manager, Carers UK,
said:
“Transport costs are an important part of the financial impact
of caring in London, whether it be travelling to do shopping for a disabled or
elderly person or accompanying them to medial appointments or social activities.
We know this from our own research on carers finances, Real Change Not Short
Change: struggling to make ends meet. Carers London warmly welcomes the Mayor’s
Bus and Tram Discount Card initiative as a genuine step forward which will be of
real help to carers on income support. While we will continue to urge the Mayor
to use his powers and influence to extend the free travel available to people
with disabilities and older people to all carers in London, we do recognise and
acknowledge the importance of this first step.”
Colin Burgon MP said:
“Anyone who is serious about
tackling inequality in our cities will welcome this development. I am familiar
with how similar initiatives between Venezuela and US cities have benefited
their poorest citizens. Mutually beneficial exchanges of this nature present an
opportunity to directly improve conditions for those most blighted by poverty. I
have no doubt that London’s unique civic expertise will also benefit ordinary
Venezuelans”
Ed Blissett, Regional Secretary, GMB London Region,
said:
“The GMB London Region welcomes the Mayor's decision to give
low paid Londoners who receive Income Support, the ability to travel on public
transport for half-price.”
Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary,
said:
“Accessible and affordable public transport is a huge issue
for most Londoners. This very welcome action is to be applauded. It potentially
opens up opportunities for low income people and families to enjoy better access
to jobs, training, social and cultural networks. And this action also sends out
a positive message that political processes can be harnessed as an active force
for good. Any scheme that lessens the often prohibitively priced public
transport costs in and around the capital is clearly a step in the right
direction.”
A spokesperson for The Federation of Turkish Associations UK
said:
“The Federation of Turkish Associations welcomes the Mayors
efforts of reducing the cost of travel for those who are on income support by
securing 20% cheaper oil from Venezuela. Many members of our community are
within this poverty bracket and such concessions will assist them in accessing
vital training and allowing them to widen their employment reach. Public and
social services will become further accessible to those who need them most
realising the needs of individuals who might otherwise not benefit. It will also
utilise the services that are currently available to much wider areas.”
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