News from Caroline Russell: Mayor criticised for making ‘unfunded fares pledge’

Caroline Russell, Green Party Member of the London Assembly, has responded to news that only pay as you go journeys, single tickets and weekly bus and tram passes will be included in the Mayor of London’s promised fares freeze.

The Mayor promised to ‘freeze all TfL fares and charges for the Mayor’s cycle hire scheme for four years’ in his manifesto.

Caroline Russell AM commented:

“Today’s news is disappointing for hundreds of thousands of Londoners who use travelcards or rely on national rail services. However, it is unsurprising as the Mayor made an unfunded fares pledge. London’s fare system needs a radical overhaul, and a better way to bring fares down is to get drivers to contribute financially through schemes like a workplace parking levy and pay-as-you-go driving. If the Mayor wants to fund a genuine fares freeze he should look at these options.”

“We can get fares, pollution and congestion down if we make sure public transport is always cheaper than driving.”