Here’s the real horror—and the real joy: most people never exploit the Freedom Pass within their own borough. I’m talking about the little trips. You can ride the bus three stops to that park you’ve been meaning to visit for years. You can take the train to the next town over just to try a dodgy café. Your pass turns the entire region into your personal playground, with no petrol costs and no parking rage.
I started using mine to take “micro-adventures.” Yesterday? I took the 176 bus from central London to Penge just because the name sounded funny. Turned out they have a great antiques shop. Who knew? Not me, until I let my Freedom Pass be my GPS.
Yes, Even the Cable Car
Let me end with a plea: take the IFS Cloud Cable Car between North Greenwich and the Royal Docks. It’s free with your card. It’s a five-minute ride, but it feels like you’re flying over a postcard. Bring a friend, wave at the cars below, and laugh at how ridiculous it is that this is free. You’ll thank me later.
So stop treating your Freedom Pass like a sad old-person bus pass. It’s a key to a city that’s desperate to show you its secrets. Go find them. Or, you know, just go to Costco. That’s on the 24 bus, too.
