17.11.17
Khan urges national fare freeze as TfL tickets to stay the same in 2018
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has today confirmed that fares set by TfL will once again be frozen in 2018 and questioned the government’s failure to follow suit in this policy.
The policy means that every passenger buying tram tickets or making pay-as-you-go journeys on the Tube, DLR, Emirates Airline and rail services – where TfL fares apply – will pay the same price as in 2016.
It also includes all TfL travel concessions, ensuring that children, over-60s, veterans, apprentices and those on Job Seeker’s Allowance continue to be given free or discounted travel.
The news comes as figures from the ORR show that London Overground actually saw passenger numbers rise last year despite reductions on many other operator’s services.
Khan also used the opportunity to urge the government to follow suit and begin a national freeze on rail prices.
“Freezing travel costs is making a real difference for Londoners as the cost of living continues to rise sharply,” commented Khan.
“The government must now follow my lead and freeze national rail fares – especially for London suburban rail services. If I can do it, why can’t they?”
Last month, the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) used its ‘alternative budget’ announcement to also push for a national ticket price freeze on rail services.
Following today’s reveal, Lianna Etkind, one of the organisation’s public transport campaigners, said the CBT welcomed the mayor’s announcement and, much like Khan, would also support the incorporation of London’s suburban rail services into TfL’s umbrella as a way of reducing more prices across the system.
“The government would do well to follow the mayor's lead and announce a national fares freeze in the forthcoming Budget to protect Londoners who use train services outside TfL’s network from the planned 3.6% rise come January,” Etkind added.
In addition to overall price freezes, Khan also confirmed the launch of an unlimited ‘Hopper’ fare for trams and buses, which would allow passengers to travel across a number of services in a one-hour period for a set price. It is expected to come into force next year.
TfL says the freeze is being fully funded through its efficiencies programme, which was outlined in its business plan last December.
Top image: John Stillwell, PA Wire
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