London Mayor accused of fares freeze U-turn

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has been accused of breaking preelection promises to freeze fares on public transport in the capital.

During his election campaign Khan said Londoners “won’t pay a penny more for their travel in 2020 than they do today”. However, he now says the fares freeze will only apply to single journeys. Passengers using Travelcards, Oyster cards or pay-as-you-go contactless cards will not benefit from his plans.

London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon said: “I think you have broken your fares promise.”

However, Khan pointed out that the Department for Transport sets Travelcard fares, and claimed that 96% of commuting Londoners will benefit from the freeze.

The cost of the fares freeze is estimated at £640 million over four years, and the pay of London’s Transport Commissioner Mike Brown and other senior staff will be frozen for the full mayoral term. A “fundamental review” of Transport for London’s (TfL’s) organisational structure will take place, with savings of up to £25m estimated. Improved procurement could save up to £60m, and “reprioritisation and consolidation” of IT projects is expected to save up to £30m.

Brown said: “The Mayor has instructed us to ensure that TfL is the most efficient organisation it can be. By changing the way we are organised, by driving efficiency in every part of our business and by looking for further ways to generate more non-fares revenue, we will deliver a transport network that continues to meet the needs of a rapidly growing London.”

Drivers’ union ASLEF’s London Underground organiser Finn Brennan said: “Frontline services and staffing levels must be protected as passenger numbers continue to grow.”