London mayor Sadiq Khan has promised free London public transport for carers and companions of disabled people, if he is re-elected.
The move would benefit family members and friends, as well as professional carers, helping disabled passengers on the bus, overground and tube.
He is up for re-election in May, and announced the latest pledge for free travel for carers on the same day that Londoners were dismayed to be told of the 2.7% rail price hike yesterday.
He has, however, frozen Transport for London pay-as-you-go prices for 2020, the fourth time he has done so since his 2016 election.
Alan Benson, chair of London disability campaign group Travel for All, said: “The rights of disabled people are rarely put front and centre by policy makers, so this is a welcome change.
“The provision of a companion pass is an access requirement in the same way as a lift is.
“Without it many disabled people simply cannot travel, as they can’t travel alone.”
London’s first Muslim mayor, Khan is forecast by polls to gain re-election in May.
