Half-price bus travel to help unemployed find jobs in the recession

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Mayor Boris Johnson today announced that over the next year London's half-price bus and tram travel scheme will be extended to include people claiming jobseeker's allowance as well as those on the new employment and support allowance.

The move, part of the Mayor's economic recovery action plan, will help the unemployed to travel to interviews, job centres and libraries.

It means that from 1 April eligible Londoners will be entitled to the same half-priced travel concession as those on income support.

About 150,000 people are likely to benefit.

The Mayor said: "The severity of the economic downturn and its sharp impact on Londoners has required urgent practical action.

"I want to do all I can to ease the burden at this time, and have asked TfL to introduce a number of targeted fares reductions and concessions to help those on low incomes who will feel the impact most strongly.

"I want to help the thousands of Londoners who during these tough times will find themselves looking for work, by making it easier for them to get around the city when travelling to interviews and accessing other amenities that will help them find jobs," Mr Johnson added.

The Mayor's office said those eligible for the discount were among the poorest people in London not already eligible for travel concessions, and that Mr Johnson was particularly concerned to help this group through the current economic downturn.