News from London Assembly Labour

Ken Livingstone slams Boris Johnson’s huge public transport fare increases

Following the publication of Boris Johnson’s bus, tube, tram and rail fare increases yesterday, Ken Livingstone said: “London already has some of the highest fares in the world, but instead of putting squeezed Londoners first, Boris Johnson is sticking to further stealth-taxes on fares even as he argues for tax cuts for the rich.

“These fare rises are absolutely staggering. Under Boris Johnson the price of a single bus fare will be 56 per cent higher, a huge attack on ordinary Londoners and right across the board fares are soaring.

“Under the Tories, Londoners are less well off with every day that passes.

“Fares will be a central choice in next May’s election and in the coming weeks I will set out a fairer fares plan that puts Londoners first.”

Val Shawcross AM said: “This decision by Boris Johnson to raise fares again is hugely damaging to millions of Londoners and will now be one of the central issues in the election campaign.

“With Ken, Labour will propose a fairer package and aim to put Londoners first after four Tory years of indiscriminately squeezing the great majority of Londoners, from the suburbs to central London.”

The announcement by Boris Johnson means:

Single bus ticket up 56%
* Was 90p in 2008
* Will be £1.40 in 2012
Costing Londoners £260 a year more

Weekly bus and tram pass up 47%
* Was £13.00 in 2008
* Will be £19.10 in 2012
Costing Londoners £317 a year more

Weekly zone 1-4 travelcard up 23%
* Was £24.20 in 2008
* Will be £29.80 in 2012
Costing Londoners £291 a year more

Weekly zone 1-2 travelcard up 23%
* Was £34.60 in 2008
* Will be £42.60 in 2012
Costing Londoners £416 a year more

Other news from London Assembly Labour

• Labour council Leader works full shift with gritting teams - 21 January 2013
• Boris Johnson's back to work hangover for Londoners - 2 January 2013
• Every Labour voter must turn out today or the Tories will get away with it - 3 May 2012