Children in London have been able to travel around the capital for free, or at a discounted rate, since 2005. But that’s about to change. As part of its bailout of TfL, the government is insisting on suspending free travel for under 18s by removing Zip Oyster photocards, to protect public health and avoid overcrowding on buses. This will be a disaster for families with children who are already struggling.
Not only will it increase costs for them, it could also mean that children and young people are more restricted to their local area, less able to travel to school, college, work and healthcare appointments and more likely to miss out on the many opportunities that London has to offer them.
Families have suffered enough during the pandemic and children are missing out. It’s not right that the government should limit their access to education and healthcare and their ability to maintain relationships with family and friends.
Please join the #DontZapTheZip campaign, which Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) is running. You can email your MP to ask them to oppose the suspension and share your story at www.cpag.org.uk/dontzapthezip Thank you so much!
