Off-peak Fridays in London
Stage: Evidence gatheringFrom 8 March to 31 May, off-peak pay as you go fares will be available all day on Fridays on Tube and Rail across London and parts of the Southeast on a trial basis.
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903 Londoners have responded | 14/03/2024 - 31/05/2024
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From 8 March to 31 May, off-peak pay as you go fares will be available all day on Fridays on Tube and Rail across London and parts of the Southeast.
Will cheaper fares on a Friday encourage you to ...
- use the Tube or Rail on a Friday, for work or leisure? Why or why not?
- swap your usual day(s) of travel to a Friday? Why or why not?
- use the Tube or Rail instead of other modes of transport? Why or why not?
The discussion ran from 12 March 2024 - 31 May 2024
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Community Member 4 months agoFor me, the off peak fare from my local station into zone 1 is £1.20 less than the peak fare. It may not seem like much but this amount adds up over time. Although I did not make this journey every Friday during the trial window, I was...
Show full commentFor me, the off peak fare from my local station into zone 1 is £1.20 less than the peak fare. It may not seem like much but this amount adds up over time. Although I did not make this journey every Friday during the trial window, I was aware that this was going on and I knew I was saving during this time. Journey fares are pretty expensive so this definitely benefits people who may want or need to travel into Londn on a Friday.
Show less of commentsajster
Community Member 4 months agoDidn't see much of a difference in the number of people. I think this is because there isn't enough of a difference in the peak v off peak price for inner zone journeys. They need to either reduce the off peak prices to encourage you to...
Show full commentDidn't see much of a difference in the number of people. I think this is because there isn't enough of a difference in the peak v off peak price for inner zone journeys. They need to either reduce the off peak prices to encourage you to actually change practices or shorten the peak hours. No one is travelling pre-4pm but if you had a smaller adjustment, it might spread out the load and improve peak time capacity.
Show less of commentdiamondh
Community Member 4 months agoI hope this is extended to the full week
barbaryape
Community Member 4 months agoLondon should be doing all it can to get people out of cars and into public transport. More initiatives like this ASAP, please.
emilia123
Community Member 4 months agoI took journeys that I wouldn’t have made without the reduced fares. I often lose track of time during activities (eg visiting art galleries) or have other commitments that mean I can’t go anywhere until the afternoon. Peak fares are so...
Show full commentI took journeys that I wouldn’t have made without the reduced fares. I often lose track of time during activities (eg visiting art galleries) or have other commitments that mean I can’t go anywhere until the afternoon. Peak fares are so much more expensive than normal that I avoid going into zone 1 during the week or have to wait until after 7 to be able to get home or have to do very long bus journeys. The reduced fares on Fridays has made a massive improvement on my cultural and social life.
Show less of commentlucilou00
Community Member 4 months agoI didn't know about off peak Friday's so I feel it's not been well enough advertised to be a true trial. Now I do know, I will definitely be using it though. It's a fantastic idea, with fewer people in the city for work on fridays we need...
Show full commentI didn't know about off peak Friday's so I feel it's not been well enough advertised to be a true trial. Now I do know, I will definitely be using it though. It's a fantastic idea, with fewer people in the city for work on fridays we need to keep central London hospitality busy or we will lose it - this will help London be more than just a city for tourists come 7pm on a Thursday.
Show less of commentpineapple_72
Community Member 4 months agoOff-peak Fridays have definitely encouraged my family and I to use the tube more on a Friday! Before, we booked a lot of things for the weekend, making it really crammed and leaving not enough time for leisure. With off-peak, it makes it...
Show full commentOff-peak Fridays have definitely encouraged my family and I to use the tube more on a Friday! Before, we booked a lot of things for the weekend, making it really crammed and leaving not enough time for leisure. With off-peak, it makes it easier to go into central, particularly because it was cheaper fares but the same amount of transport available.
Furthermore, it encourages us to not use our own vehicles and instead, use public transport for commuting to work/going into work on a Friday. Wish that off-peak Fridays would become permanent, but I do agree with other commenters that 50% off, or an overall lowering of the prices would be even more beneficial, particularly as it would attract even more people to use public transport, increasing profit and helping the environment.
Show less of commentchidsta
Community Member 4 months agoI went in to zone 1 on a Friday 4 times including the one this week. Normally I never go in as I live and work in West Greater London, zone 5. All times were to go and have dinner with friends, normally we would stick to places outside of...
Show full commentI went in to zone 1 on a Friday 4 times including the one this week. Normally I never go in as I live and work in West Greater London, zone 5. All times were to go and have dinner with friends, normally we would stick to places outside of Greater London (Windsor, Maidenhead, Beaconsfield or even Uxbridge) but using Elizabeth Line off-peak definitely influenced us to try new places the city has to offer. Having said that, travelling in to London after work on Fridays makes me appreciate not having to do that daily slog everyday and reminds me not to be tempted to apply for higher salary jobs in the city. Also Elizabeth Line runs soooo many trains per hour but it's always soo busy!! Where have all these extra people appeared from? It's mad, been living here since 2007, felt a massive increase in the population. Genuine rush hour times must be a nightmare to travel.
Show less of commentArania
Community Member 4 months agoI usually work from home on Friday but I went to work to take advantage of the cheaper fares. It's certainly a good scheme and should be made permanent.
However TFL should reduce fares overall and stop having peak and off peak fares on...
Show full commentI usually work from home on Friday but I went to work to take advantage of the cheaper fares. It's certainly a good scheme and should be made permanent.
However TFL should reduce fares overall and stop having peak and off peak fares on other days too. I think people would go out more if fares were cheaper, which would then boost the economy and not impact TFL's revenue, as more people would travel.
Show less of commentFelixH
Community Member 4 months agoThis is a great initiative that not only gave me an extra reason to go to the office, but also means that as a result I was able to join after-work social events I normally miss. Should definitely be made permanent
AmyArtist
Community Member 4 months agoSpecifically bought tickets for shows on fridays, as knew about the trial and let me keep cost of going out lower. Should be permanent as really allowed me to take advantage of London in the evenings again.
RedBug
Community Member 4 months agoI noticed that the tube was busier on a Friday. Then again I went out of my way to use the tube rather than the train even though it took slightly longer. It was also good that the trial took place over some school holidays as it meant I...
Show full commentI noticed that the tube was busier on a Friday. Then again I went out of my way to use the tube rather than the train even though it took slightly longer. It was also good that the trial took place over some school holidays as it meant I deliberately choose Fridays to go out with my child rather than another day. While I didn't actually travel at peak times it meant I was not worrying about the time.
Show less of commentcynthiavanzella
Community Member 4 months agoFriday was already my favourite day to go to the office as the trains and buses aren't so busy - now I have one more reason for it! It's also a great initiative to support hospitality and retail businesses around "office areas" that have...
Show full commentFriday was already my favourite day to go to the office as the trains and buses aren't so busy - now I have one more reason for it! It's also a great initiative to support hospitality and retail businesses around "office areas" that have been struggling on Fridays since the pandemic, but without forcing everybody into the office every day. This flexibility creates a good life-work balance for everybody, and allows people to support both local/neighbourhood businesses as well as central ones. I really hope Friday fares continue - or, even better, get extended to other days!
Show less of commentTRStarr
Community Member 4 months agooff peak fridays encourages me to travel on fridays when its much quieter and i can go out with fridays after work.
This should be a permanent initiative
TalkLondonUser93
Community Member 4 months agoThis initiative should be permanent as it is really helpful, especially in a cost of living crisis
northlondons
Community Member 4 months agoCentred appointments around this Friday off peak fairs. Hope it stays.
alfieb92
Community Member 4 months agoVery useful in a cost of living crisis, and encourages people to use TFL more. Would love to see this extended!
Simeon
Community Member 4 months agoI thought it was a great idea. This offer encouraged me to use TFL to travel around London.
wayne
Community Member 4 months agoThe fare for the tube during off-peak hours is already very expensive. TfL should not only completely eliminate peak hour charges but also lower overall fares.
Reducing fares doesn't mean reducing fare revenue. More people going out will...
Show full commentThe fare for the tube during off-peak hours is already very expensive. TfL should not only completely eliminate peak hour charges but also lower overall fares.
Reducing fares doesn't mean reducing fare revenue. More people going out will naturally increase fare revenue.
Besides, encouraging more people to go out and spend money helps improve the local economy.
Show less of commentymchan87
Community Member 4 months agoWe need it extand to everyday.