The disabled person’s freedom pass gives you free travel on all buses, trains, trams, Docklands Light Rail, Thames river services and London Underground services within the London area 24 hours a day and from 9.30am on National Rail services.
It is paid for by the council to help people with disabilities get around.
Who is eligible?
You must be over five years of age and be a permanent resident in the London Borough of Hounslow.
You may qualify if you meet one or more of the following criteria:
Are severely sight impaired (blind) or sight impaired (partially sighted)
Are profoundly or severely deaf
Are without speech
Do not have arms or have long-term loss of the use of both arms
Have a learning disability, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning
Would, if you applied for the grant of a licence to drive a motor vehicle under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, have your application refused pursuant to section 92 of the Act (physical fitness) otherwise than on the ground of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol.
Receive the higher rate mobility component of the disability living allowance
Have a disability, or have suffered and injury, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to walk. Temporary conditions, such as broken leg for example, do not qualify.
How do I apply?
You can contact the transport inclusion unit for an application form, or collect one from the main reception at the civic centre, alternatively you can download an application form, see right of this page under documents for download.
Once you have completed the application form and collected the necessary information, see below, you must send the form by post to:
Transport inclusion unit
London Borough of Hounslow
Civic centre
Lampton road
Hounslow
TW3 4DN
If your application is successful a letter of authorisation will be sent to you directly by post, you can then collect the pass from the post office.
You will need to provide 1 passport photograph when you collect your pass. You will also need to provide proof of your name, age and residency in the borough. Only certain types of identification are accepted.
You need to provide one of the following as proof of name and age:
Current passport
Medical card
Birth certificate (unless your name has changed)
Pink driving licence (paper or photocard)
Letter of pension entitlement.
You need to provide one of the following as proof of address:
Current council tax bill/letter/payment book
Current council housing association rent book/statement/letter
Current television licence.
If providing one of the following it must be dated within the last 3 months:
Residential utility bill (excluding mobile phone bills)
Residential bank/building society statement
HM Revenue and customs letter
Department for works and pensions letter
Occupational pension letter
Residential credit card statement.
Can I appeal if I am refused?
Although there is no statutory right of appeal, London Borough of Hounslow will, when requested to do so, reconsider the application and decision. Such requests should be made in writing within 10 working days and include any additional information to support your request.
How much does it cost?
The disabled person's freedom pass is free but you must provide one passport size photo when you collect your pass from the post office.
If you use the pass on national railways to travel outside the Greater London area, the extra cost of the travel must be paid before boarding the train.
When is the pass valid?
You can use your pass to travel any time on all Transport for London services. Time restrictions still apply on National Rail services.
The pass can be used on local bus services anywhere in England, between 9.30am and 11pm on Monday to Friday, all day at weekends and public holidays. The pass is only valid outside London if it has a 2010 expiry date, a red rose logo and bus hologram. Please note it is not valid on tram, light rail, metro or train services outside London.
The pass is valid on some local bus routes, in and around London, which are not part of the Transport for London bus network. Before travelling you should contact the relevant bus company to check if these routes accept the pass.
The pass is valid on National Rail between 9.30am and 4.30pm on weekdays and all day at weekends and on public holidays.
The pass is valid on Thames River services. Fares are half price with a Freedom Pass after 9am Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and on public holidays.
What if the pass is stolen, lost or faulty?
Freedom Pass holders who lose or damage their cards will be charged £10 for replacements. If a crime reference number is provided, no charge will be made to replace a stolen Freedom Pass.
You need to contact the Freedom Pass helpline on 0845 275 7054 to obtain a replacement pass.
For further information,see the Freedom Pass website or contact us.
How do I use my new smartcard freedom pass’
On buses, you only need to touch your freedom pass flat on the yellow card reader when boarding the bus. On the train and tube, you just touch your freedom pass flat on the yellow card reader on the automatic ticket gates as you enter and exit the station. You do not even have to open your pass wallet for your pass to be read on the reader pads, you can place it on the reader pad closed.
Contact details
Tel: 020 8583 3073
E-mail: freedom.pass@hounslow.gov.uk