Posted 17th August 2022 | 3 Comments

Mayor of London warns of double-digit TfL fare rise

Fares on Transport for London could rise by the rate of inflation plus 1 per cent, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has warned, as negotiations over the government funding of TfL continue.

The Retail Prices Index for July was 12.3 per cent, the Office for National Statistics has announced.

The government has already indicated that any increase in regulated fares on National Rail next year will be under the July inflation rate and has also postponed any changes until March for the second year running.

Although the DfT cannot set the rates of TfL fares, which are legally controlled by the Mayor, it can make an increase a condition of the funding which TfL needs.

Mr Khan said in a BBC interview that passengers could not cope with an increase based on the inflation rate.

He said: ‘If the government insists on inflation plus 1 per cent, that could see Londoners paying fare increases of 13 or 14 per cent in January. That's not on, not fair, and I will resist that.’

Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: ‘The balance we have come to here is the right one. It is the only offer which is on the table. There will not be a further one but we will work with TfL on the technical details to assist them.

‘I very much look forward to this being put to bed so that Londoners don't have to keep hearing about stories about TfL needing more money and coming out with the begging bowl.’

The talks with the DfT over TfL funding in recent weeks are reported to have been stormy, with Grant Shapps also said to be insisting on the introduction of driverless Underground trains as part of the settlement.

Reader Comments:

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  • Nick Fowles, Todmorden

    Maybe Londoners have been sheltered from the obscene fare rises the rest of the UK has endured because the network is controlled for the good of the citizens rather than a tiny minority of money grabbing companies.

    This is an appalling attack on local democracy, the rights of London citizens and the future of the environment. Obscene doctrine of the rich at its not naked.

  • S, F

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  • Stuart Hicks, Reading

    Londoners have bene sheltered from fare rises by the mayor for some years and the chickens are coming home to roost.

    It might be more sensible for him to make concessions on making children and under-66s pay, and reform the pension scheme for future service. Whether he will is another matter as he may be too much in hock to the unions.