Boris raises fares fifth year in a row
Londoners' wallets will be hit with another inflation-busting fare increase - as Transport for London (TfL) last week announced travel costs in the capital will soar by 4.2 per cent on 1 January 2013. This means Boris Johnson has overseen a 26 per cent increase in fares since he became Mayor of London in 2008.
The fare hike was today described as "a tax on working people" by local Labour Assembly Member John Biggs - who urged the Mayor to throw a lifeline to struggling Londoners.
Since Boris Johnson was elected in 2008 fares have risen:
Bus fares will risen more than 55 per cent - from 90p in 2008 to £1.40
- A single ticket on Tube, London Overground and DLR from zone one to two will cost £4.48 in cash – a rise of 12 per cent
Local Assembly Member John Biggs said:
"This is going to hit residents in Newham extremely hard when Government cuts are in full swing.
“The Annual London Survey shows that getting cheaper fares are Londoners top concern, so it’s so disappointing that the Mayor is not listening to what Londoners want.
“It’s appalling that the Mayor is increasing fares above inflation when so many Londoners are struggling. I urge him to throw a lifeline to those who will find these fare rises unmanageable. This is another example of the Mayor forgetting about people striving to make a living whilst he promotes tax cuts for the richest.
"Energy bills will be going up 11 per cent, rents in London have increased by 8 per cent and the Mayor has added to this endless burden by putting up travel costs yet again.”