TFL announces biggest price hike in a decade - as London Mayor's share of council tax bills jumps 9.7%
18 January 2023, 10:29 | Updated: 18 January 2023, 12:25
TFL has announced it's set to raise fares by an average of 5.9 per cent across all services - the largest hike in nearly a decade, as London's Mayor says decisions in Westminster have left his 'hands tied' over council tax rises.
The staggering hike was confirmed on Wednesday by Sadiq Khan, in a double price hike across travel and council tax.
The rises are set to take effect from March 5, with Khan's share of council tax bills jumping by 9.7 per cent.
Zone 1 Tube fares now look set to jump by a staggering 12 per cent, with City Hall claiming the rise from £2.50 to £2.80 per trip will help keep higher priced Outer London fares as low as possible.
It follows a trial period in which TFL banned passengers over the age of 60 from travelling for free before 9am - a trial that is now being made permanent from today.
The news has resulted in widespread criticism, with Age UK London branding the decision to abolish early morning free travel a “devastating blow”.
Independent watchdog TravelWatch, has also reacted, with Chief Executive Michael Roberts adding: "Many Londoners are already feeling the pinch with cost-of-living pressures so this fares rise of 5.9% across TfL services will be challenging for many people.
"More people use the bus every day in the capital than any other type of transport. Buses are used most by lower income Londoners, so we are particularly disappointed that these fares were not capped."
The rises are set to affect London's Tube, bus, Overground, Elizabeth line and DLR services, with the restrictions on free travel set to generate an extra £40m a year.
It's the second successive year bus fares will rise, jumping by 10p to £1.75.
The hike will also see a widespread increases across daily and weekly fares, with the cap on pay-as-you-go tube travel rising by 6.7 per cent - that's a 10p rise across most single tube fares.
Mr Khan says he has been forced by the Government into the rises, increasing his share of council tax by the maximum allowed.
The rise is primarily aimed at generating extra funds for the Met police and London Fire Brigade, funding the recruitment of 500 additional police community support officers (PCSOs).
Speaking to MyLondon, the Mayor said he had 'one had tied' behind his back by the current Conservative Westminster government when it came to the hikes.
It follows former transport secretary Grant Shapps' comments dating back to August, where he noted fares had to rise in line with National Rail's regulated fares of 5.9 per cent.
If they didn't, he noted TfL would not get £1.2billion in government funding.
Khan also noted “insufficient” Government funding for frontline services required the rise in order to plug the outstanding funding gap.
