20% LONDON BUS FARES INCREASE JAN 2010

[olddutch]

When current inflation in the UK is 0.3% RPI and 1.9% CPI and ordinary peoples personal finances are severely pressed in the deepest of recessions, how can Transport for London justify raising London Bus Fares by around a massive 20% on 2nd January 2010 ?

Key fares will increase as below

Table 1: Proposed Bus & Tram Ticket prices (pence)
Current price 2009 Proposed price2010 increase %
Pay as you go – single journey 100p 120p 20.0%
Pay as you go – day cap £3.30 £3.90 18.2%
Seven Day Bus & Tram Pass £13.80 £16.60 20.3%
Seven Day Travelcard (2 zones, not
Zone 1) £16.60 £19.00 14.5%

[mushroom25]

the mayor's decision to scrap the western congestion zone extension, and not to impose higher charges on the most polluting vehicles (eg huge 4x4s) has left something of a budget shortfall. A hike in TFL fares would seem to be one way of getting some of that back

[Beswad]

Increase in travel fare occurs year after year and this is always announced in Janaury like the coming of Christmas why do commuters still find it a surprise?

We moan, then have to put up with it and then faded until the next year........what's new?

[buildersmate]

It's called supply v. demand. The buses in London are full to bursting.

[rov1200]

When the £ in your pocket has been devalued by about 20% in real terms there has been no increase. Maybe we should all have the option of being paid in Euros. Someone has got to pay for all those dearer imports and its not the government.

[jno]

seems it was all the fault of the wicked Ken Livingstone

http://www.guardian.c...n-bus-tube-fares-rise

The current inflation rate is below 2%, not 20%

http://www.rateinflat...uk-inflation-rate.php

[olddutch]

Jno

Thanks for your links - but were you indicating your agreement with the stats in my question with your comment " The current inflation rate is below 2%, not 20%" ?

In my question above current UK inflation - both RPI and CPI - are shown as being below 2%

I dont know whether to be astonished - or not - at the apparent apathy on this site to a MASSIVE 20% INCREASE in London Bus Fares in these hard economic times !!!

[ORANGEANDPROUD]

"I dont know whether to be astonished - or not - at the apparent apathy on this site to a MASSIVE 20% INCREASE in London Bus Fares in these hard economic times !!! "

Have you considered the fact a that we do not all live in London? Why should we be concerned about London bus fares if we have no need to use a London bus? In 2000, the bus fare for travel in Zone 1 was £1 by the way, so in fact, the price has risen by 20% over a ten-year period.

[olddutch]

Dear ORANGE,

Re your "Have you considered the fact a that we do not all live in London?" Why should we be concerned about London bus fares if we have no need to use a London bus "

I do not live in London either - the location should be of no concern but the principle of accepting without complaint or counter pressure any price rise of above 2% in general inflation should - taking account of the fact we are in the current longest ever UK recession - never mind a massive 20% ! In the current extreme economic climate where very many ordinary people are having to take part time jobs - or having their wages frozen or even cut - or getting a sub 2% cost of living rise, there should be pressure/pricing policy to restrict disproportionate inflationary price increases of any kind.

20% inflationary increases should be very concerning to every ordinary working person - if not everyone - indeed the Bank of England have a 2 % inflation target. Very many ordinary families are struggling to pay their bills and suffering hardship. How would you be thinking if all your bills this week were to be raised by 20% ? If high inflation is not a worry to you or the plight of the very many who it can so adversely affect - inc pensioners - then so be it !