Expected increases in London’s public transport fares
14 October 2009
Campaign for Better Transport will criticise rises in tube, bus and some rail fares if, as expected, the Mayor announces substantial increases tomorrow.
Richard Bourn, the organisation’s London Campaigner, said:
“Other major European cities are prepared to pay for good public transport services as an essential part of their social infrastructure. In contrast with other cities, the Mayor now seems inclined to make users pay more and more for public transport services.”
Pointing out that rail fares nationally have risen in real terms by 7% since 1997 while the cost of motoring has fallen by 13%, Richard Bourn said: “Fare increases will discourage use of public transport and drive people back to their cars. This will happen at the very time that the urgency of tackling carbon emissions and climate change is becoming ever more apparent.”
