Boris Johnson announces new tariffs for travelling on public transport

Bus fares will rise by 12.7 per cent and Tube fares by 3.9 per cent next year according to a new package set out by Mayor Boris Johnson this week.

• Oyster pay as you go bus fare from £1.00 to £1.20;
• A seven day bus pass from £13.80 to £16.60;
• On the Tube, the Zone 1 Oyster pay as you go fare from £1.60 to £1.80;
• Most other Oyster pay as you go fares on Tube also increase by 20p, with larger increases in some longer distance peak fares

Announcing the new fare tariffs, the Mayor said, “Nobody wants to make an announcement like this, especially when Londoners are feeling the effects of the recession. It is not a decision that I have taken lightly. Indeed, I have been persuaded of the need for fare rises only after ensuring that every efficiency possible, at least £5 billion in total, is being made at TfL.

“However the mistakes of the past and the current economic climate have conspired to present us with a huge challenge. The crucial thing is that we safeguard the investment in our city’s future and that’s why I’m asking Londoners to accept this difficult decision."

40% of bus passengers will continue to travel free or at a substantial concessionary rate and the Freedom Pass will continue to be valid for travel 24hrs a day on all TfL services.

The Mayor also set out changes to the operation of London’s Congestion Charge Scheme, including plans which he believes will make it easier to pay and avoid penalty charge notices through the introduction of payment on account in 2010.

October 16, 2009