From May 31st, services between Liverpool Street and Enfield Town, Cheshunt (via Seven Sisters) and Chingford, along with services between Romford and Upminster, will become part of TfL’s London Overground service.
On the same day services between Liverpool Street and Shenfield will also be handed over to TfL and rebranded TfL Rail ahead of the introduction of Crossrail services in 2017.
Since being formed in 2007 with the take over of the failing Silverlink franchise, London Overground has become one of the UK’s top performing rail services and enjoys both high levels of reliability and passenger satisfaction.
TfL bosses have already promised that passengers on the service’s new routes will see immediate improvements in cleanliness, reliability and security, as well as visible station staffing throughout operating hours.
Today Mayor Boris Johnson confirmed that fares on the routes will be brought into line with those for existing London Overground services, meaning 80 per cent of pay as you go fares will be lower.
The peak zone 1-6 pay as you go fare from Romford to Oxford Circus will fall from £7.60 to £5.10 with the off-peak fare falling from £5.20 to £3.10, while the peak zone 1-6 pay as you go fare from Cheshunt to Zone 1 will fall from £8.20 to £6.90 with the off-peak fare falling from £6.20 to £4.00.
Mr Johnson also vowed that any existing fares below TfL levels will remain unchanged and no tickets will be withdrawn.
In addition, holders of Freedom and other concessionary passes will now be able to travel at any time.
Customers will also become eligible for a refund if they’re delayed for 30 minutes or more for a reason within TfL’s control, and will get a automatic refund if there’s an incident which causes significant disruption
Mayor Johnson, said: “This is fantastic news for commuters, who won’t just be benefitting from being part of the wonderfully efficient London Overground network, but for many of them their fares will be reduced as well.
“This is a clear demonstration of why it is a no brainer for TfL to be given more control of suburban rail services, enabling more people to reap the benefits of rail devolution.”
Mike Brown, Managing Director of London Rail, said: “We are very pleased to take over responsibility for these routes into and out of Liverpool Street and, over time, look forward to improving the services for the passengers using them.
“Just as on London Underground, people will see staff at our stations at all times when trains are running – providing reassurance to the public as well as a turn up and go service for disabled customers.
“Passengers will also benefit from new fares which, in the most cases, will save them money, with Oyster and contactless payment continuing to provide the best value.”
Today’s news has been welcomed by Stephen Locke, Chair of passenger watchdog London TravelWatch, who said: “Given that affordability of fares is a major issue for passengers, we welcome the lower fares which will come when TfL takes over these services and the fact that TfL concessions and discounts will apply.
“However, passengers will also benefit from the service improvements that have been promised which overall will give passengers better value for money and strengthen the case for further devolution of rail services to the Mayor of London.”
Full Fares Changes
