Disabled people's travel pass (Freedom Pass)

The disabled people's travel pass, known as the freedom pass gives you free travel on buses, tube, trains, Docklands Light Railway and trams in London.

Who can get a disabled person's freedom pass?

The freedom pass is available to disabled people who meet the eligibility criteria. The local authority does not make the regulations regarding this scheme; guidelines and eligibility are set by the Department for Transport.

Applicants to the scheme must be residents of Lambeth and be living in the borough at the time of making their application and on issue of their pass.

If you are 60 years of age or over, do not apply for the disabled persons Freedom Pass. You are eligible instead to apply for the Older Persons Travel Pass.

Eligibility for the disabled person's freedom pass

Residents of the borough whose disability has a substantial effect on their ability to carry out normal day to day activities and who have a disability which is permanent or which may last for at least 12 months may be entitled to a freedom pass.

The seven categories for eligibility, which are given under the Transport Act 2000 Section 151 (4) are for persons:

1. Who are blind or partially sighted
2. Who are profoundly or severely deaf
3. Who are without speech
4. Who have a disability, or have suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to walk
5. Who do not have arms or have a long-term loss of the use of both arms
6. Who have a learning disability, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind, which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning
7. Who, if they applied for the grant of a licence to drive a motor vehicle under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, would have their applications refused pursuant to Section 92 of that Act (physical fitness) otherwise than on the ground of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol

How much does a disabled person's freedom pass cost?

There is no cost to the user for journeys on local London transport services.

If the pass is used for a journey on national rail to travel beyond the Greater London area, then the extra onward cost of the journey must be paid before boarding the train.

If you are approved for a freedom pass, you will need to attend a Lambeth post office to have your pass issued. When attending the post office, you will need either a London Transport photocard or to provide two passport-sized photographs along with proof of identity and proofs of residence.

Applying for a disabled person's freedom pass

You can download the freedom pass application form to print out and fill in.

The form should be returned to:

Accessible Transport Unit
Hopton House
243A Streatham High Road
London
SW16 6EY
Telephone: 020 7926 5555

Please note that it can take 6 weeks to fully process your Freedom Pass application form. This is to incorporate proof of address checks, screening of application and where relevant, attendance at our mobility assessment clinic. It will take longer for a decision to be made if you do not supply all the information required, including information to prove your eligibility and also your residency. Please read the guidance on eligibility carefully before completing your application.

Further information

For further information about freedom passes, including information on which transport services you can use, visit the freedom pass website.

You can also find further information in the document a guide to the concessionary fares scheme.