On 2nd January, Sadiq Khan pledged free travel on the city’s transport for anyone accompanying a disabled person. The promise came on the same day as rail passengers nationally were hit with annual fare increases, this year averaging 2.7%. The pass would provide free travel for anyone accompanying a disabled person on all services including the tube, Overground and buses.
Khan is consistently polling better than his Tory counterpart Shaun Bailey, Liberal Democrats' Siobhan Benita and Tory defect Rory Stewart. The mayor's popularity however, has been dented over the last 12 months where he has been criticised for the capital’s rising crime rates and knife crime. His personal popularity ratings nosedived to their lowest ever in the summer of 2019. Khan said,
“My job is to stand up for all Londoners. I want to ensure everyone in our city can access our fantastic transport network, and that travel in the capital is inclusive and affordable.
“The companion pass is intended to make a big difference to disabled Londoners. It will help them to move around our city more easily and take advantage of all the fantastic opportunities London has to offer.”
He said if he won the 2020 race he would instruct TfL to work closely with disability and accessibility groups as well as London councils to draw up details of the proposal.
