The Freedom Pass is only available to residents of London Boroughs who are either disabled or who have reached the statutory retirement age for women. (That's currently 60 but it will start rising from this April. A man becomes eligible at the same time as a women born on the same day). Details here:
http://www.londoncoun...eedompass/default.htm
For those who're not eligible for a Freedom Pass, the best travel option is usually an Oyster Card. It works like a pre-paid debit card, and gives substantial savings on bus and rail travel when compared to 'walk up' fares.
Visitors to London, who will only be in the city for a short while, might find that using a Travelcard works out at roughly the same price as using an Oyster Card. It has the advantage of getting a third off the fare of all scheduled river services (which the Oyster Card doesn't).
http://www.docstoc.co...es-and-tickets-within
Chris