London fares jump by up to 74% this week
Former mayor Ken Livingstone is today launching a campaign against Boris Johnson’s new fear fare increases for public transport.
Campaigners will hand out leaflets to commuters across 70 Tube, rail and bus stations in London today, protesting about the new fares rises put in place by Boris Johnson.
Since 2008, a single bus journey by Oyster is up 44%.
But some commuters will see a rise in fares of up to 74%. Since the Zones 2-6 One-Day Travelcard is being permanently withdrawn, travellers will have to buy a 1-6 Zone Travelcard instead – a jump from £8.60 to £15 during peak times. Off-peak, it’s a 57% rise from £5.10 to £8.00.
A monthly Zone 1-5 travelcard is up £258 a year and, from this week, the cost of a monthly zone 1-2 travelcard will rise above £100 for the first time, to £’106 (up 14%).
Could it all have been avoided?
Boris did away with £50 million a year revenue by scrapping of the Western Extension of the congestion charge zone.
He also wasted money on vanity projects including the hugely costly new bus for London and his ‘fantasy’ Thames airport.
Today at West Hampstead station Ken met commuters alongside local Labour party members and handed out leaflets highlighting Boris Johnson’s drastic fare rises.
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Sunny Hundal is editor of LC. Also: on Twitter, at Pickled Politics and Guardian CIF.
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A couple of corrections.
Research into the Boris Island project didn’t cost the taxpayer anything.
Secondly, he didn’t want to scrap the WEZ, but reform it – but did agree to let the locals decide on its future. They decided to scrap it.
That’s democracy for you. Damn annoying isn’t it?
Simple solution here.
Join the Met as a Special Constable (16 hours a month) and get your free all zone and BritRail and bus travel pass. At these rates you’re making £20 an hour or more.
And, of course, it would be the “Big Society” in action: policing of the community by volunteers from the community.
Go on Sunny, you live in London, don’t you?
Locals didn’t ‘decide’ to scrap it – the self-serving consultation was used as some sort of scientific survey.
On the other hand, a more scientific attitude survey of Londoners as a whole showed that while 41 percent favoured abolition of the WEZ, 30 percent wanted it retained in its present form and a further 15 wanted it retained with modifications (why was there no attitude survey of WEZ area residents in particular, I wonder).
Wasn’t there a genuine problem with the WEZ, in that it undermined the congestion charge zone by widening it too much (because the zone is not only the place where you get charged for driving, but also the place where residency makes you immune to the charge)?
On the airport, it’s true that noone has been employed to look at that but it doesn’t mean that’s no cost. At the very least Boris has spent time wittering on about it, visiting the site and meeting with Doug Oakervee. He will have needed support from his office for that. We pay them and, unfortunately, Boris so that’s money spent on a project outside his remit that will never happen.
It’s also a myth that the WEZ indermined the integrity of the central CC zone. If this was the case TFL wouldn’t be forecasting an overall increase in traffic and, importantly air pollution after abolition.
@ 5
“If this was the case TFL wouldn’t be forecasting an overall increase in traffic and, importantly air pollution after abolition.”
Good point.
The western extension had to go. It was a rip off. And for people living just outside it, very unfair as they got clobbered just doing a local trip into it. Like to Sainsbury’s at the top of Ladbroke Grove which was just inside the zone. People living on the other side of Harrow road were having to pay just for that short trip.
A lot of people from inside the WEZ will be sorry to see it go though, as it kept a lot of poor people out – and let them ride around central London in their posh cars at the 90% discounted resident’s rate. Which, for the people who live in the richest borough in the UK was appreciated I’m sure.
The fares in London though are outrageous. Particularly the peak time fares.
They should stop gouging people who are just going to work.
@ 7
“Like to Sainsbury’s at the top of Ladbroke Grove which was just inside the zone. People living on the other side of Harrow road were having to pay just for that short trip”
Not true. Sainsbury’s was not in the WEZ. Speaking as a former resident with a car from just north of the Harrow Road, the charge was the least of concerns – compared to extortionate pay & display parking charges by both Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea councils. There’s no sense driving into either on a regular basis unless you’re a local resident, got buckets of money, or just fancy a scenic drive stopping only in traffic jams!
When the western zone extension was introduced I was travelling daily to a job within it. As I was in the building trade & carry large amounts of tools & materials using public transport was simply not an option. As far as my journey from North London to Bayswater was concerned I noticed no difference in the volume of traffic post the introduction of the charge. Interestingly, what did change was the value of the cars on the road. All of a sudden there were a lot less cheap, small cars & a great deal more new, expensive ones.
Not true. Sainsbury’s was not in the WEZ.
I stand corrected. It’s odd though, as that’s what former Harrow
road resident James O’ Brien said on his LBC radio show last week.
On the show, all the callers were glad to see it get scrapped. He was specifically asking for people who liked it to call in, and he only got two Kensington and Chelsea residents to say they would like it to be kept, as there would probably be even less parking in their streets, and they would have to now pay the full charge in the central zone.
One woman from Pimlico was particularly perturbed, as she would be charged the full rate just to pop over to nearby Charring Cross and Victoria.
I don’t think there are many people who would like a congestion charge zone at the end of their road, where whole areas of town were basically blocked off from you, or otherwise you had to pay a very steep charge.
And as someone who was driving in central London everyday doing deliveries in a truck in 2009, the extra bicycles swarming all over you like Kamikaze pilots was nerve-wracking.
Reactions: Twitter, blogs
- Liberal Conspiracy
London fares jump by up to 74% from this week thanks to Boris http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Matt Jeffs
RT @libcon: London fares jump by up to 74% from this week thanks to Boris http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Lucas Weatherby
“@libcon: London fares jump by up to 74% from this week thanks to Boris http://bit.ly/gssgkX” – mental.
- ann
RT @libcon: London fares jump by up to 74% from this week thanks to Boris http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Jonathan Davis
RT @libcon: London fares jump by up to 74% from this week thanks to Boris http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Peter Pannier
RT @libcon: London fares jump by up to 74% from this week thanks to Boris http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Luiza Sauma
Happy new year!! RT @libcon: London fares jump by up to 74% from this week thanks to Boris http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Pete Phillips
RT @libcon: London fares jump by up to 74% from this week thanks to Boris http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Jim Jepps
RT @libcon: London fares jump by up to 74% from this week thanks to Boris http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- No UK Shock Doctrine
RT @libcon: London fares jump by up to 74% from this week thanks to Boris http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Ma
RT @libcon: London fares jump by up to 74% from this week thanks to Boris http://bit.ly/gssgkX Will wages increase too? Didn't think so
- Matthew Deaves
RT @libcon: London fares jump by up to 74% from this week thanks to Boris http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Why Sunny Hundal should become a Special Constable
[...] because he is complaining about the increase in ticket prices in [...]
- conspiracy theo
London fares jump by up to 74% from this week thanks to Boris … http://bit.ly/f2DtTZ
- Captain Disco
Just some of the multitude of reasons why Boris needs to be voted out of office in 2012: http://ow.ly/3xUeY
- marcus harris
who voted for boris? come on, own up because you owe me a tonne of cash… http://ow.ly/3xUeY
- Owen Blacker
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Robin Ince
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- joe derrett
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Peter Barrett
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Nicolas Chinardet
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Andy Bean
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Nicolas Chinardet
@londonist RT: @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Ewan Gaffney
Continuing my train fares rant here are some of the most spleen twisting increases so far http://tinyurl.com/2vfnage #boris
- Chris T-T
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Michael Marziano
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Faintdreams
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Kaylea Mitchem
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Kaylea Mitchem
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Simon J. James
Oh dear Boris, time to call it a day? – http://j.mp/eDf2zf
- Simon J. James
Oh dear Boris, time to call it a day? – http://j.mp/eDf2zf
- Tom Pennington
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Tom Pennington
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Jack Seale
Blimey. Didn't realise the extent of bus/tube (hint: tend to be used by poor people) fare rises in London: http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Jack Seale
Blimey. Didn't realise the extent of bus/tube (hint: tend to be used by poor people) fare rises in London: http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Miklos Kiss
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Elaine O'Neill
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Humphrey Cushion
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Humphrey Cushion
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Jo Treharne
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Jo Treharne
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Shannon Robalino
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Laura Holden
Hate that this countries decisions are being made by people with no concept of living on a normal, let alone low wage. http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Paul MacInnes
I had, for a while, softened my opinions on Boris. Glad to say I can call him a bastard once more. http://bit.ly/i2Jjg9
- Paul MacInnes
I had, for a while, softened my opinions on Boris. Glad to say I can call him a bastard once more. http://bit.ly/i2Jjg9
- Paul MacInnes
I had, for a while, softened my opinions on Boris. Glad to say I can call him a bastard once more. http://bit.ly/i2Jjg9
- Steve Hall
Fare hikes – one thing guaranteed to get a Londoner ranting http://bit.ly/i2Jjg9
- Steve Hall
Fare hikes – one thing guaranteed to get a Londoner ranting http://bit.ly/i2Jjg9
- Steve Hall
Fare hikes – one thing guaranteed to get a Londoner ranting http://bit.ly/i2Jjg9
- Greg
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Greg
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Greg
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Phil Jones
RT @PaulMac: I had, for a while, softened my opinions on Boris. Glad to say I can call him a bastard once more. http://bit.ly/i2Jjg9
- Jim
Bus fares have gone up by 44% since 2008. Seems fair, given the high level of service we bus users rece…oh no wait – http://bit.ly/eDf2zf
- Lisa E
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- m.f.
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Gautam B
@ChrisWBates Transport is important, though. http://liberalconspiracy.org/2011/01/04/london-transport-fares-jump-up-to-74-thanks-to-boris/
- David Cleaver
I am so pleased I don't rely on public transport or live in London RT @libcon: London fares jump by up to 74% this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- rob jenkins
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Matt Sellwood
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Double.Karma
RT @libcon: London fares jump by up to 74% from this week thanks to Boris http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Marc Greener
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- David Smout
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Dewet Diener
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- alan mills
10 Tory fare hikes for London, courtesy of BoJo. 74% increase anyone? http://tinyurl.com/2vfnage
- BobToms
RT @alanmills405: 10 Tory fare hikes for London, courtesy of BoJo. 74% increase anyone? http://tinyurl.com/2vfnage
- Alex Tambourides
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- not a subject
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Laurence Davison
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- sunny hundal
The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- bad_medisin
RT @sunny_hundal: The full horror of Boris Johnson's raising of London fares from this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Karl
RT @libcon: London fares jump by up to 74% this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Karl
RT @libcon: London fares jump by up to 74% this week http://bit.ly/gssgkX
- Nick Watts
RT @libcon: London fares jump by up to 74% from this week thanks to Boris http://bit.ly/gssgkX
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