PEOPLE who currently have a Freedom Pass which enables them to travel free on public transport are being urged to prepare themselves for the new passes.

Freedom Passes are available to people in London who are aged over 60 or who have a disability, and are normally renewable every two years.

But when the passes run out on March 31, new ones are being brought in which will last for five years and will incorporate a photograph of the owner on the actual pass.

This means it will take up to 10 working days to produce and will be sent to owners by post instead of being available immediately over the counter.

So people with passes due to run out in March are being urged to apply in January or February to make sure they receive their passes before the old one runs out.