• Question by: Angie Bray
• Meeting date: 13 September 2006

Good morning, Mayor. Well, talking about fares going up, let us talk about possible fares coming down. If you read the front page of The Guardian this morning, I see you have plans for ways of reducing fares for at least some people, or perhaps your latest round of calibrated fare increases takes into account the possibility of subsidised oil from Venezuela? Does it?

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 13 September 2006

I've got three questions I would like to put to the Mayor. Can I just start off Mayor, by saying to you, in the words of one of my constituents, Roger Gillam, well done to you and TfL and all the staff. He talks about the fact that we in North East London are absolutely delighted that you have brought forward some of the planned work from phase two into phase one; that's excellent.

• Question by: Geoff Pope
• Meeting date: 13 September 2006

Good morning. You have tried to explain the reason behind these huge hikes in fares and you did say just now that you regret the short-term pain, and you say it is paying for the investment. You said it was short-term, so is there some hope that you are going to reduce the fares after the short-term?

• Question by: Geoff Pope
• Meeting date: 13 September 2006

I do not want to give any false promises.

• Question by: Roger Evans
• Meeting date: 13 September 2006

Well, I think it is characteristic of Gordon Brown's generosity that he allows you to borrow the money and allows Londoners to pay it back; Perhaps that is something that we can expect more of in future. Certainly, if Londoners enjoyed the benefits that people who live in New York and Paris do, then you would be forced to consult on fares with them before imposing a fare increase like this. Do you not think that this would be a better thing to do?

• Question by: Andrew Pelling
• Meeting date: 13 September 2006

Not everybody shares your perception of Venezuela as an open, liberal democracy; what safeguards will there be in your negotiations about the transfer of ID technology to the Venezuelans to ensure that they are not abused, or there is an abuse of human rights in Venezuela?

• Question by: Darren Johnson
• Meeting date: 13 September 2006

Are you not concerned that you are undermining your own message about reducing fossil fuel use and your call for higher charges on environmental taxes and so on? You are not at all concerned that you are contradicting your own messages and actually sending out some very, very mixed messages to Londoners?

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 13 September 2006

Thank you for that. My last question ' and it is linked with fares ' is were you able to get Bob Crow (General Secretary, National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers ) to understand that more trains, more staff, Oyster availability, air conditioning, connections and a better service, fit for purpose, is the way forward, and there is really no sub-plot here?

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 13 September 2006

I'm linking the £2.1 billion with the fares package increase. I believe that out of that we are getting some wonderful benefits for North London. The Mayor knows what I'm talking about, let him answer.

• Question by: Jennette Arnold OBE
• Meeting date: 13 September 2006

Can I then just ask a follow-up question relating to the fare increase? It was maybe a year ago when we had the last package [of increases]. Myself and John Biggs (AM) brought to you our concerns about how they disadvantaged young people travelling, especially young people in some parts of London; certainly in the part that I represent. Can you assure us today that TfL officers have actually planned for this not to impact on London's low income families, young people and elders? It is those sort of equality impact measures that I am looking for assurance on.