Daily travelcards could be scrapped within months leaving commuters facing higher fares
- Currently, no alternative has been offered by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan or TfL
Transport for London’s daily travelcards are expected to be scrapped by January next year, which could leave commuters with higher fares.
Travelcards enable customers to board a train to London and covers the journeys between travel zones one to six, including unlimited tube and bus rides, and same day return.
Currently, no alternative has been offered by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan or TfL to replace the day travelcards, which many commuters rely on as an affordable way of getting to work.
Katie Blake, who travels from Esher to London daily, said she could see her travel costs double if the travelcards are scrapped.
According to TfL, daily travelcards are due to be dropped as a result of the ‘devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on TfL’s income’.
Transport for London’s daily travelcards are expected to be scrapped by January next year, which could leave commuters with higher fares
Home Counties councils including Surrey and Kent have both publicly opposed the plansas they could affect many of their residents who commute to London
Home Counties councils including Surrey and Kent have both publicly opposed the plans which could be implemented before the end of the year.
Ms Blake said: ‘I’m really, really angry about it.
‘There is no alternative and it will be more expensive to get to London, many people are going to be upset. It already costs just under £600 to get to work per month if I go in every day to Notting Hill, and there is no tap in tap out option at Esher station.
‘To rent a room in Surrey can cost between £900 to £1,000 a month, we have got to a very dark place where transport costs this much, which is almost the cost of someone’s rent. What about people whose incomes aren’t above average?
‘We also have Ulez which will stop some people using cars as much, to be more green, but public transport is expensive, or there are strikes, delays or it isn’t working some days.’
A spokesperson for Mr Khan said: ‘The Mayor has now reluctantly agreed to the proposal for TfL to initiate the notice period that could allow the withdrawal of Day Travelcards if no alternative proposals are agreed. While the Mayor and TfL remain committed to seeking alternatives in the coming months, the Mayor had to approve this instruction now in order to meet the deadlines in TfL’s funding deal.
‘This will begin a process lasting at least six months before the withdrawal could come into effect, during which time the decision can be reversed. The Mayor and TfL remain open to discussing all options with both the Department for Transport and the train operating companies, and will work with them to try to find a financially acceptable alternative that would allow Day Travelcards to remain available.’
Ms Blake said a peak time travelcard currently costs her £25.70, if they are scrapped getting to Waterloo from Esher could cost her between £19.60 to £23.20 alone. This is without the additional tube and bus fares.
She said: ‘That extra £20 you spend to get to where you want to go won’t be spent at that independent coffee shop or business, it won’t boost the economy.
Currently, no alternative has been offered by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan or TfL to replace the day travelcards, which many commuters rely on as an affordable way of getting to work
‘It sucks the joy out of having a nice day out and travelling spontaneously, when people feel they have to count their money,’ she added.
The loss of a ‘convenient’ physical card could also have an affect on the vulnerable and elderly, Ms Blake argued.
A TfL spokesperson said: ‘Due to requirements of the government’s funding settlements for TfL to save money and generate significant amounts of additional revenue, we have had to consider proposals to stop accepting Day Travelcards on the TfL network.
‘After careful consideration of the proposal, taking into account the requirements of TfL’s funding settlement and TfL’s Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA), the Mayor has considered the proposal from TfL, and has reluctantly instructed TfL to give the required minimum six months’ notice to withdraw from the relevant provisions of the Travelcard agreement.
‘This is the first stage in a process and there are no changes to tickets at this time. This is an operational decision that has been taken now to ensure that TfL meets the requirements of its funding agreement, but TfL continues to look for alternative options.
‘While this six-month notice-period is now underway, this decision remains reversible and does not therefore mean that Day Travelcards will be withdrawn. TfL is keen to work collaboratively with the DfT and Rail Delivery Group to discuss options that would allow Day Travelcards to continue to be provided, while ensuring TfL can meet the requirements of the funding settlement with Government.
‘The existing daily pay as you go caps on contactless or Oyster, which are used by the overwhelming majority of those travelling, will not be affected by this.’
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