The case for higher Tube and bus fares in the capital has not been made according to a new report due to be published today by the London Assembly’s Budget and Performance Committee.
With passenger numbers higher during the recession than previously forecast, Assembly Members say Transport for London has collected more fare revenue than expected.
Today’s report will call on TfL to explain “why it plans to recommend to the Mayor that fares should rise by two per cent above inflation in 2011” after bus and many tube passengers already saw fares increase this year.
AMs are calling in the Mayor to ensure that, if fares do increase, any rises on Oyster Pay-As-You-Go or season tickets “do not rise by more than other ticket types.”
Committee chair John Biggs said: “These are tough economic times for Londoners and in January some of the poorest were hit by big increases in bus fares.”
Biggs said passengers “should not face even higher transport costs without clear justification for them”, adding: “if the Mayor does decide that fares should go up next year, we would want him to think carefully about the potential consequences, particularly the risk that some people could be driven off public transport.”
Responding to the calls Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor of London’s transport advisor, said: “No decision has yet been made on the level of fares for 2011 as they are due to be decided by the Mayor later in the year. At that time he will weigh up all the relevant considerations, but his drive will be to continue to safeguard investment in rail, Tube and bus services, to improve the quality of public transport and protect concessionary fares for Londoners.”
