The “£22m a year” perk of free travel for people who live with Transport for London staff members should be scrapped, according to a report by Greater London Authority Conservatives.

In its Free Ride report, the Tory group calls for an end to nominee travel passes for TfL staff.

It says the current scheme allows staff working for TfL to nominate someone living in their property, whether a family member, friend or lodger, to receive free travel on the buses, tube and DLR.

The report claims the scheme is projected to cost £111m up to 2020 and says the free travel should be transferred to firefighters, with any leftover money used to buy more Routemaster buses.

Andrew Boff, leader of the GLA Conservative Group and a London Assembly member, said: “At a time when the public sector is having to make money stretch further, there is no justification for individuals who do not provide an essential role in keeping London in operation receiving these types of benefits.

“I would argue that abolishing the perk would free up money that could be spent on providing complimentary travel cards for firefighters who unlike the police do not presently get free travel on the TfL network.

“Equally, extra Routemaster buses could be brought into operation to help keep London moving.

“It is about time Transport for London cracked down on waste, and got rid of this gold plated perk.”

TfL has disputed the report’s figures, saying lost revenue during the year-long period used was no more than £7m rather than the £22m claimed.

It also says withdrawing the free travel scheme could lead to industrial action.

A spokesman said there was actually no cost to TfL because “the number of journeys is so low as a proportion of the 10m Tube and bus journeys being made per day, meaning no additional services need to be operated.”

What do you think? Should the nominee passes be scrapped or should TfL staff be allowed to keep the benefit? Add your comments below.