Disquiet at London transport fare rises
Commuters and environmental groups are united for once in annoyance at the rise in London transport fares.
Though the rises were announced in September, many travellers appear to have forgotten about the increases before renewing tickets today, the first full working day of 2005.
Prices have risen across the Tube, rail and bus network, with some commuters facing a 20 per cent rise in the cost of their journeys.
Speaking in September, Mayor Ken Livingston said that the rises were essential to ensure increased investment in the transport structure and to fund free bus travels for all under-16s.
Criticising the move today, Green Party London Assembly Member Darren Johnson, said: “Price rises of up to 20 per cent on the cost of bus, tube and train travel will not only increase congestion on the roads but will also most severely affect the poor who are most reliant on public transport and least able to pay.
“The Green Party is firmly behind the idea that we need increased funding for our transport system. However, a funding system needs to be found which encourages people to use public transport.
“Above inflation fare increases will not help the Government to achieve it’s stated aims. It is imperative that public transport is made cheap and easy to use and those commuters and users are not taxed for using our buses and trains.”
Speaking on New Year’s Eve, the chairman of the London Transport Users Committee, Brian Cooke, said: “It is amazing that TfL is increasing bus fares by the largest percentage of all, at a time when they and the Mayor are trying, and succeeding, in encouraging bus travel in the capital, I hope that this will not reverse that trend.
“It is also odd that this is partly to pay for free travel for children who are quite capable of walking short distances when others, who might not be able to walk those distances, face increases of varying from 14 per cent to 43 per cent.”
