Fare changes in London

From 2 January, fares on TfL services are set to rise by 1%, in line with the July Retail Price Index (RPI). However, a number of ticket prices, including single bus fares and all but two pay as you go single Tube fares, will be frozen. Travelcard season tickets will increase by slightly less than 1%. The pay as you go single bus fare is kept the same at £1.50, while the one day bus cap increases by 10p to £4.50, the same as the cost of three single fares. The overall increase in bus fares is 0.8%. The revised changes to fares are expected to raise £43m a year for TfL, an increase of 1%. The capital’s transport authority says it is a vital step as it increasingly looks to cover operating costs from fares and other income.

Martin Abrams from Campaign for Better Transport said, ‘At a time when commuters in London are finding it increasingly difficult to afford the cost of their daily travel it is welcome news that fares on TfL services across the capital are being held in line with inflation. We can see from TFL figures that the number of people who benefited from last year’s Oyster Pay as You Go fares cap is greater than expected which proves the case for a better deal for part-time workers in London and across the whole of the UK. The Oyster smartcard is a simple, effective way for people to pay for their travel and is clearly driving growth in passenger numbers across London. It is now time for the Department for Transport and Train Operators to catch up and ensure people across the whole country can use a travelcard that gives them a good deal on all public transport.’