Thousands of low paid TfL workers to receive free travel across network

The concession, funded by City Hall, will be available to the lowest paid transport contract workers from April.
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Low paid cleaners, catering and security staff at Transport for London (TfL) will be given free travel across the network to help with the cost of living crisis.

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan will extend the scheme, which was piloted with cleaners, to now cover 5,800 workers.

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The concession, funded by City Hall, will be available to the lowest paid transport contract workers from April.

Many are already on the “London living wage”, which is £11.95 per hour.

Contract workers for Transport for London will get free travel from April 2023Contract workers for Transport for London will get free travel from April 2023
Contract workers for Transport for London will get free travel from April 2023

Staff who are directly employed by TfL already receive free travel on the network.

“London’s transport workers continue to play an essential and much-valued role in keeping our city’s transport network safe and operational for millions of people every day,” Mr Khan said.

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“The cost of living crisis shows no sign of improving, and I want to do everything I can to support those in lower paying jobs who are being hit hardest.

“With so little action from the government I’m pleased that I can help ease the pressure for lower paid transport workers such as cleaners, catering and security staff who do such a vital job for the capital.”

The RMT union which has been campaigning for this concession says it’s “another step in the right direction” but says the mayor now needs to bring all subcontracted cleaners on the London Underground into direct employment.

Mick Lynch, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT)Mick Lynch, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT)
Mick Lynch, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT)

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: "Sadiq Khan’s welcome action stands in stark contrast to the Tories who earlier in the week forced legislation through the House of Commons that would remove these workers’ right to strike.

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“Instead of attacking cleaners, the Tories should be following the Mayor’s lead and ensuring all rail cleaners have free travel.

"However, the mayor needs to do more too.

“Labour nationally has committed to oversee the biggest wave of insourcing of public services for a generation when it’s elected.

“London’s mayor is already in power, so we’ll be stepping up our campaign for Sadiq to tackle the scourge of outsourcing in TfL, starting by bringing London’s Underground cleaners in-house.”

Mayor Khan faced criticism earlier this month for a rule change to axe free travel for over 60s before 9am on weekdays, a restriction introduced in June 2020 but made permanent last month.