West End Extra - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Published: 12 September 2008
Where’s the value in fare rises, Boris?
• SO Boris Johnson’s first significant move as mayor was a hike of at least 6 per cent on bus and Tube fares. For bus passengers using Oyster pay as you go, this will mean a jump from 90p to £1, an increase of 11 per cent. A single Tube journey across two zones will go from £2 to £2.20, up 10 per cent. This will hit all Londoners hard and especially those on low incomes.
If anything, Transport for London’s revenue should be up this year, thanks to increased passenger numbers.
If Boris really is concerned about TfL’s finances he should have thought twice about scrapping the £25 higher charge for 4x4s, which has cost London a potential £30-£50 million. He should reconsider bringing back the Routemaster, and he should not throw away more revenue by scrapping the western extension of the congestion charge.
Boris was elected promising “value for money.” Let’s hope this broken promise isn’t a sign of things to come.
Murad Qureshi AM
Londonwide Assembly Member City Hall
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