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Mayor raises bus and Tube fares Mayor raises bus and Tube fares
(40 minutes later)
London passengers could be hit with an above inflation rise in fares on buses and the Tube to plug an £84m "financial black hole". Passenger are facing an above inflation rise in fares on buses and the Tube to plug an £84m "financial black hole".
The rises are to be announced by Tory London Mayor Boris Johnson later and will come into effect in the New Year.The rises are to be announced by Tory London Mayor Boris Johnson later and will come into effect in the New Year.
Kulveer Ranger, the mayor's transport policy director, blamed former Labour mayor Ken Livingstone's policies for the "serious financial consequences".Kulveer Ranger, the mayor's transport policy director, blamed former Labour mayor Ken Livingstone's policies for the "serious financial consequences".
London Assembly's Labour group said the mayor was making a "political point". The Labour group said the rises were unnecessary as there was no evidence of a budget shortfall.
Concessionary fares for the elderly, disabled, people on income support and war veterans are expected to remain unaffected.Concessionary fares for the elderly, disabled, people on income support and war veterans are expected to remain unaffected.
'Election gimmicks''Election gimmicks'
Commuters will also be urged to travel off-peak with those fares expected to be be cut. Commuters will also be urged to travel off-peak - with those fares expected to be be cut.
Mr Ranger said Mr Livingstone's policies, specifically his decision to freeze Tube fares and reduce the price of bus journeys, had removed more than £80m from Transport for London's (TfL's) coffers.Mr Ranger said Mr Livingstone's policies, specifically his decision to freeze Tube fares and reduce the price of bus journeys, had removed more than £80m from Transport for London's (TfL's) coffers.
Mr Ranger branded Mr Livingstone's policies as "cynical election gimmicks" and said TfL was currently reviewing future projects.Mr Ranger branded Mr Livingstone's policies as "cynical election gimmicks" and said TfL was currently reviewing future projects.
In his announcement Mr Johnson is expected to outline some "tough choices" the administration has to make in relation to future projects. In his announcement, Mr Johnson is expected to outline some "tough choices" the administration has to make in relation to future projects. For Boris to blame his predecessor for this fare hike is nothing more than a cheap political shot Labour's Val Shawcross
John Biggs, Labour's transport spokesman on the London Assembly, said: "This seems to be a very hasty decision by the mayor with no details or justification. Labour's London Assembly transport spokesperson, Val Shawcross, said: "Boris Johnson has given us no evidence whatsoever for his claim that there is a transport finance black hole.
"Although the alleged shortfall, if it exists, is quite significant there are options and we are hoping to explore them with him. "What the evidence does point to is an increase in passenger numbers and revenue in TfL's coffers.
"He seems to be making a political point." "For Boris to blame his predecessor for this fare hike is nothing more than a cheap political shot.
"If the mayor genuinely is concerned about the fares budget then he should have thought twice about abolishing the £25 higher charge for gas guzzlers and should reconsider his expensive plans to replace the bendy bus."
The Bank of England says the current rate of inflation (CPI) is 4.4%.The Bank of England says the current rate of inflation (CPI) is 4.4%.