Boris Johnson hits Londoners with 'eye-watering' fare increases » Bill Payments » 24dash.com

Bus and Tube fares in London are to increase by an overall figure of 6% from the New Year and there will be some "tough choices" about some transport projects in the capital, Mayor Boris Johnson announced today.

Fares will increase based on July's RPI inflation of 5%, plus 1%, while Transport for London will keep under review the impact of higher oil prices.

Some fares will be cut, including a new off-peak fare aimed at encouraging Londoners and visitors to travel after 0930.

Mr Johnson hit out at the "largesse" of previous Mayor Ken Livingstone, accusing him of creating an £80 million financial hole.

The Mayor said there would be a new half price travel scheme for people on income support, while the elderly and war veterans would still receive support.

Mr Johnson said the previous Mayor's fares policy had been "unsustainable", removing more than £80 million from TfL's funds this year alone.

"This fares package is designed to be fair to all Londoners, commuters and visitors. Some of us will pay a little more but I have ensured fares will remain affordable, especially for people who rely on public transport most, including the elderly, disabled veterans and those on lower incomes.

"I have been left to tackle the unfunded legacy of Livingstone's largesse. Put simply, the previous Mayor's cynical and irresponsible pre-election fares freeze and support for unfunded transport schemes is unsustainable, and has produced a gap that has to be plugged.

I'm determined to deliver value for money for London's farepayers and taxpayers and that will mean some tough choices.

"We're investing billions to improve transport in London, prepare for 2012 and deliver Crossrail. This is a fares package that will sustain the investment needed to deliver the extra capacity and reliability that is vital for London."

A single bus fare paid with an Oyster card will increase from 90p to £1, a one day bus and tram pass will rise from £3 to £3.30 while a weekly pass will go up by 80p to £13.80.

The £4 adult cash fare in Zone One of the Tube will be frozen at £4, while the fare in other zones will go up from £3 to £3.20.

The minimum adult cash fare on the Docklands Light Railway rises from £1.50 to £1.60.

Mike Tuffrey, the Liberal Democrat's group leader at the London Assembly, said: "Last year the Liberal Democrats pointed out Ken Livingstone's fare freeze was unsustainable and this announcement proves us right.

"As well as that, what Mayor Johnson has failed to do so far is outline exactly how an inflation-busting increase in fares will benefit the hard pressed traveller on London's transport network.

"Will we see better services, more reliable trains and an end to overcrowding? I somehow doubt it."

Labour's London Assembly transport spokeswoman, Val Shawcross, said: "This unnecessary, above inflation fare hike is going to hit the pocket of every Londoner hard and makes a complete mockery of the Mayor's promise to provide value for money.

"Boris Johnson has given us no evidence whatsoever for his claim that there is a transport finance blackhole. What the evidence does point to is an increase in passenger numbers and revenue in TfL's coffers. If anything there should be a surplus this year, as there was in previous years.

"For Boris to blame his predecessor for this fare hike is nothing more than a cheap political shot."

Mr Livingstone hit back at the allegations and attacked the mayor for wasting money.

He said: "Londoners are beginning to learn the high cost of Boris Johnson. He promised to save Londoners money but instead, after just a few months in office, he is pushing up fares above inflation to pay for his own incredible waste of Londoners' money."

"This is an eye-watering and entirely unnecessary fare increase."