At an event on Wednesday night, London’s Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan expressed serious concerns about the post-pandemic decline in office-working across the capital, warning that the city “cannot afford” to become one where “the center has been hollowed out.” The event, hosted by consultancy firm Project Leaders, provided the mayor an opportunity to address the capital’s business community and urge employers to encourage their staff to return to their office spaces.
While the mayor acknowledged the rise of flexible working since the pandemic, which has significantly impacted central London’s economy, he stressed that businesses also had a responsibility to create a more appealing office environment to bring workers back. “The center of London cannot afford to become hollowed out,” he remarked, emphasizing that the shift in work habits has also negatively affected Transport for London’s (TfL) revenue from commuter fares, reported by the London Standard News.
Statistics show the ongoing struggles of the capital’s transport system, with ridership on the London Underground still significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels. As of March 2024, morning peak-hour Tube journeys on Mondays were at just 70 percent of the level seen in March 2019. Friday mornings saw even worse numbers, with only 62 percent of usual ridership, while midweek days such as Tuesday through Thursday saw a steadier 79 percent.
In a bid to address this decline, the mayor launched a three-month trial last year, removing peak fares on Fridays. However, a report into the £24m trial revealed that it had “no noticeable difference” in increasing Friday ridership.
Sir Sadiq also raised concerns about young graduates entering their first jobs during this period, cautioning that the lack of office-working opportunities could hinder the development of professional relationships and essential workplace skills. He urged businesses to think “very carefully” before reducing office space, as the long-term impacts on staff might be felt more deeply than anticipated.
While London is not alone in struggling with a return to pre-pandemic commuting levels, the mayor noted that most other global cities are facing similar challenges. He pointed to some cities in Asia as notable exceptions.
During the event, one attendee shared concerns about the high cost of rail fares, particularly for workers commuting from the Home Counties, which has made it difficult to encourage employees to return to the office. The mayor blamed the private train operators for above-inflation fare increases and stated that he has been working with his team at City Hall to lobby the Department for Transport on more “innovative” solutions to make rail travel more appealing for London commuters.
In a separate remark, Sir Sadiq expressed frustration over the cancellation of the northern leg of the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project, which would have extended further north than Birmingham. Despite the Labor Government’s refusal to commit to reviving the route to Manchester, it has confirmed that HS2 trains will still reach Euston station in central London.
