The one-day Travelcard has been saved, Transport for London has announced after passengers thought they had lost it forever.
TfL has struck a deal with train firms to retain the ticket, which is used more than 14 million times a year by people visiting the capital, and was due to be scrapped because of funding issues.
However, although the scheme is staying, the cost of the one-day Travelcard, which offers train passengers unlimited travel on the Tube and London bus network, will increase by a one-off levy of about three per cent next March, in addition to the annual fares rise, to help cover the cost of the new deal.
Previously, Surrey’s cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and growth Matt Furniss described the proposal to scrap the scheme as “discriminatory” and called plans to remove the travelcards “unfair, unacceptable and (an) expensive levy” on residents who travel to London – especially after the expansion of the Ulez areas.
Additional concerns were also raised by groups such as London TravelWatch, due to its anticipated impact on those on low incomes, families, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
But now there appears to have been a U-turn. Here is what you need to know.
What happened with the Travelcards?
In July, Mr Khan had begun the six-month process of withdrawing from the Travelcard agreement, which he said cost TfL £40m a year in lost fares.
But he faced a huge outcry from transport campaigners and local authorities across the home counties, who said the one-day Travelcard was an invaluable way of attracting visitors to London on public transport and reducing car use.
A source close to the mayor said: “Agreement has now been reached by all sides to keep the daily Travelcard.
Why were they being stopped?
Deputy mayor for transport and deputy chair of transport for London Seb Dance previously told the rail minister, “TfL can no longer afford” to fund the £40m Travelcard agreement.
But a source close to the mayor continued: “There’s been a lot of back and forth between TfL, Rail Delivery Group, and Government in recent weeks and a good compromise has been found.
“TfL were effectively £40m out of pocket every year, funding passengers outside London at a time when their budgets remain under huge pressure. The agreement provides a fairer deal for TfL and Londoners.”
Is it cheaper to buy a Travelcard or use contactless?
The rules are confusing. A Travelcard is more expensive than an Oyster card or contactless payment card. The exception is if you make three or more journeys for six days or more within a seven-day period, when you should look into buying a seven-day Travelcard.You will be charged two maximum pay-as-you-go prices if the amount of time between touching in at the beginning of your journey and touching out at the conclusion is longer than the maximum journey time limit. Zones 1 through 9 have a maximum fare capped at £14.90. Beyond Zone 9, including on the Heathrow Express, it is up to £26.
Whereas, daily Travelcards cost between £7.70 and £15.20, depending on the zones you travel. Weekly Travelcards are higher, starting from £40.70.
Disabled rail users’ groups have called for the travelcards to be retained, highlighting the convenience of being able to show station staff a ticket and the ease of buying a ticket with a disabled person’s railcard.
Also, those with Railcards receive discounts on Travelcards but not on contactless. Railcards reduce the price of travel on Oyster if they are registered but that only applies to the Tube and not buses. Plus you need to pay £7 for an Oyster card.
If you are only travelling by bus, it is just £5.25 for a day's travel.
What has been said about the decision to keep the scheme?
Rail minister Huw Merriman said: “The Travelcard is an invaluable way of encouraging commuters and visitors to travel into London, hugely boosting the economy in the process. I’m pleased that following a Government intervention, working with TfL and the train operators, we were able to save it."
Norman Baker, from the Campaign for Better Transport, said: "This is a great decision for sustainable transport and the people who use it, and a happy day for our capital and its businesses.
