The Mayor of London on Thursday announced another 1% rise in fares from January 2016. The latest fares hike means that since he was elected in 2008 fares will have gone up by 42%, which is 13% above inflation, by the time he stands down next year.
Alongside the fares hike the Mayor also announced the extension of free travel for under 11s to include rail services in the capital, currently travel is only free on TfL run buses, tubes and overground lines. The policy comes after Val Shawcross AM called for its introduction earlier this year.
The Mayor also confirmed that after years of lobbying from Mr Biggs, from January Stratford, West Ham and Canning Town stations in Newham will be reclassified as zone 2/3 saving East London commuters using the stations significant amounts.
As a result of the Mayor’s announcement fares from next year will rise as follows:
- Bus and Tram Pay as You Go – up 67% to £1.50 – a £0.60 rise since 2008
- PAYG TfL Rail Services Zone 1 – up 60% to £2.40 – a £0.90 rise since 2008
- Zone 1-2 monthly travel card – up 34% to £124.50 – a £31.50 rise since 2008
- Zone 1-3 monthly travel card – up 34% to £146 – a £36.90 rise since 2008
- Zone 1-4 annual travel card – up 34% to £178.60 – a £45.70 rise since 2008
- Zone 1-6 monthly travel card – up 33% to £227 – a £55.70 rise since 2008
Responding to the Mayor’s decision to extend free travel to Under 11s on the rail network and increase fares by 1%, Labour London Assembly Member for City & East John Biggs said:
"It’s hugely welcome that the Mayor has finally agreed to introduce free travel on trains for Under 11s. Up until now some children who rely on the trains have effectively missed out on free travel. I'm glad the Mayor has listened to our proposals to resolve this unfair divide; it will make a world of difference to the families affected.
“By increasing adult fares yet again Boris Johnson has dealt a parting blow to Londoners who have already had to contend with astronomical fare rises during his mayoralty. We’ve witnessed astonishing levels of hypocrisy from a Mayor who once said he’d lower fares in the long term, but has bumped them up by over 40% during his time in office.
“Commuters in the capital will be left bewildered as to why they have seen their fares rise year after year whilst there has been so little investment in the transport projects that London actually needs. Prices may have gone up but our buses remain overcrowded and the Tube upgrade is lagging significantly behind schedule.
“Boris Johnson has repeatedly brushed off calls to freeze fares, and by doing so has subjected hard pressed commuters to years of rising travel costs with absolutely no respite.
Notes to editors
- Val Shawcross AM called for free travel to be extended to children using the train network in August 2015 – full details available here. At the time Train Operators welcomed the proposals and said they would work with the Mayor to consider the scheme.
- Full details of the Mayor’s fares announcement are available here.
- A TfL map showing which above ground London train routes allow free travel for 5 -10 year olds is available here.
- John Biggs AM is the Labour London Assembly Member for City & East London