When London Mayor Boris Johnson was first elected in 2008 he made a big claim that he would seek to represent all of London and not just people living in zone 1.
Seven years on it seems Boris Johnson has forgotten this pledge.
Adults travelling to or from zones 4, 5 and 6 are now seeing substantial increases in their fares if they travel after 9.30am, or at weekends.
For example someone starting their journey after 9.30am and travelling from zone 6 into central London faced last year a daily cap of £8.50 when using Oyster pay as you go.
At the start of this year the new daily cap has soared to £11.70.
Children from outer London are also being hit hard.
For example the child rate one-day off-peak travelcard has been increased from £3.60 to £6.00.
Such sudden and severe changes in fares cannot be justified. Moreover, by removing an incentive to travel at off-peak hours they might even lead to more crowded trains at peak times.
The changes are also unnecessary.
Transport for London’s budget could easily make a wide range of savings; for example why did Boris Johnson fail to obtain a sponsor for this year’s New Year’s Eve free travel, when sponsorship has been found in most other years?
It is time the Mayor remembered his pledge to people in outer London and stopped penalising people for travelling at off-peak hours.
CAROLINE PIDGEON
Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly group
- Send your letters to: letters@surreycomet.co.uk
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