Forum Topic

Any idea of where I can print a letter?

I have a strange problem, I need to print out a letter from Transport For London (to take to a post office) to get my free travel as I'm reaching 60 years of age, it is a PDF file, and I do not have a Printer. Can anyone tell me a way of getting it done. Where during lockdown can I go (preferably within walking distance of Ealing/Hanwell) to get it printed? Are Job Centre's even open? Libraries are closed.I have no intention at this critical time of actually jumping on a bus or tube, but I have only until 2nd week in April to do so before I time out and lose my application.

Leslie Bailey ● 1853d10 Comments

I'm glad you got that sorted but, sorry to be the bearer of bad news, you won't get your Freedom Pass (or your state pension) until you're 66.Yours 60+ card will have an expiry date of your 66th birthday.

Susan Kelly ● 1848d

Just a quick update. Finally go the letter in paper form, but they messed it up. There should have been boxes in the text saying what form of ID I needed to use etc, the boxes were missing (even though the spaces in the text for them were there!!). So it was rejected by the first PO (as I suspected it would be).However I notice an internet cafe had found a way around the social distancing issue by only having one PC in use. He let me use it to print off the original letter from the TFL PDF file. This guy save the day, as I presented the next PO (opposite Daniels) with this full letter and the ID, then paid my £20 (card reader in this PO were out of order so had to go outside and withdraw cash to pay for it!!) and was told the 60+ oyster card will be with me within a week via the post. Both POs had queues of over 15 people all 2 metres apart!It is just a pity I had to walk all over Ealing to get it done during Lockdown as the letter was about to expire (next step would be wait until I'm 65 for the Freedom Pass). Took a bag to do a bit of shopping to justify my being out and about.

Leslie Bailey ● 1848d

Rather ironic that one of my colleagues at TfL is really disappointed with so many of his members of his  management who are self isolating and ' working from ' home but have then called in unable to work as they have no internet access and are not online at home.He's annoyed as most of these people are the very same ones who have advocated online access only and abolishing paper and telephone communication.And the burden being placed on those who can and do manage to remain working fully.One can only hope that after all this a deep look is taken at who really contributed and how bad freezing people out simply because they are genuinely not online has been.

Raymond Havelock ● 1852d

I finally got TFL to agree to post me a paper application pack, it will also include the paper version of the required letter. It does seem daft to tell the older population to take a paper letter somewhere, but refuse to give them the letter in paper form.As for Post offices, I know the Boston Parade one was closed for unseen circumstances.But at the time I write this (13.30 on 2nd April) Hanwell Broadway is also shown as "Closed Now" on the PO website. all the W13 ones seem open.

Leslie Bailey ● 1852d

The one at 187 Uxbridge Road, West Ealing (opposite Daniels) was open earlier this week albeit with slightly reduced hours.If you have a bit of a journey to make to get there it might be prudent phoning first.

Philip Coe ● 1852d

Are there any post offices still open in the Ealing/Brentford area?

Emma Renton ● 1852d

I hope you have found a solution.  IT can be very frustrating when you can't achieve what you want.  Perhaps you can just email it to TfL?  Maybe your Councillors can help?

Philippa Bond ● 1852d

Thanks all. Incidentally Boston Parade Post Office is closed for the foreseable future, shutters down with a notice on the door.

Leslie Bailey ● 1853d

Yes, email it to a friend and get them to print it and post it back to you. You don't want to miss out on that as it's normally invaluable.If all else fails, PM me and I'll do it.

Susan Kelly ● 1853d

Your local post office might be able to advice you.  Or could you send to a neighbour with a printer.  Local post offices are still open but check their opening hours.  Good luck

Emma Renton ● 1853d