𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Sadiq Khan has been slammed after confirming that London Underground fares are to increase in the new year. Prices will be hiked by 5.8% in March, despite a freeze on National Rail fares across the country. Alex Wilson, one of Reform UK’s two members of the London Assembly, told The Express: “The decision to raise Tube fares by 5.8% is completely out of step with the rest of the country and will hit the pockets of working people who rely on public transport the most.

“TfL and Sadiq Khan know that Londoners already face the highest cost of living in the UK, and increasing Tube fares above the rate of inflation will only serve to exacerbate the hardship they face.” He then claimed that this is about officials trying to raise more cash. Mr Wilson added: “That hardship is largely due to his Mayoralty in London and this Labour Government’s disastrous fiscal policy nationally.

“This is yet another shameless money grab by the Mayor and TfL, who will seemingly stop at nothing to raid the wallets of commuters, regardless of their mode of transport.”

But Sir Sadiq has emphasised that an increase equal to one percentage point above the retail price index rate of inflation was a condition of the £2.2bn capital funding deal that TfL secured from Rachel Reeves in June’s spending review.

He said: “When the Government awarded TfL £2.2billion in vital investment – the biggest ever multi-year funding deal for London in more than a decade – it made clear it expects TfL fares to rise by inflation plus 1%.

“However, I remain committed to doing everything in my power to keep TfL fares as affordable as possible because I know how the cost-of-living crisis is still hitting many Londoners hard.

“That’s why I’m announcing plans for an emergency cost-of-living measure, funded by City Hall, to continue freezing bus and tram fares until July 2026.”

The Mayor emphasised that he has been able to freeze bus and tram fares for the seventh time.

Sir Sadiq added: “The plans would mean that only fares on Tube and TfL rail services would now increase from March 2026.

“I also plan to ensure that increases to pay-as-you-go fares on the Tube will be capped at 20p, with many only rising by just 10p.

“The record number of TfL fares freezes I’ve put in place since 2016 mean that under the plans Londoners would still be saving around 16% on tube and rail fares and 34% on bus and tram fares compared to if fares had risen in line with inflation since 2016, and I’ll continue to do all I can to support Londoners as we build a fairer, greener London for everyone.”

Full price list

The Mayor’s office has issued the following list of what the change will mean for prices.

• An off-peak pay as you go Tube fare from Tottenham Court Road in Zone 1 to Edgware in Zone 5 would rise from £3.60 to £3.80
• Pay as you go fares on Tube and TfL rail services within Zone 1 only would rise from £2.90 to £3.10 in the peak, and from £2.80 to £3.00 during off-peak and weekends
• An off-peak journey from Richmond (Zone 4) to Stratford (Zone 2) avoiding zone 1 would rise from £2.20 to £2.40
• A peak journey from Upminster (Zone 6) to Cannon Street (Zone 1) would only increase by 10p from £5.80 to £5.90
• And Piccadilly line fares from Zone 1 to Heathrow would rise from £5.80 to £5.90