Mayor hikes up fares but gives fare dodgers a seven week holiday

Mayor hikes up fares but gives fare dodgers a seven week holiday – Caroline Pidgeon

January 12, 2012 11:20 AM
Originally published by London Assembly Liberal Democrats

Despite hiking up fares at the start of 2012 the Mayor has delayed his plans to get tough on fare evaders, reveals Caroline Pidgeon, the leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group.

In August 2011 Transport for Londonstarted a consultation proposing to increase the penalty fare on all TfL services to £80 with the proposed introduction date for the new rate being the 2 January 2012.

On the 29 November 2011 the Mayor of London then signed a Mayoral decision which again stated that the increased penalty fare would start from the 2 January 2012.

TfL are now suggesting that the increased penalty fare will come into force on the 19th February and claim that the delay is due to the need to put up publicity posters.

Commenting on the delay in the increased penalty fare Caroline Pidgeon said:

"At a time when the Mayor is hiking up fares for honest passengers it is totally wrong that he is failing to take decisive action against those who are playing the system."

"The Mayor is chair of TfL and ultimately in charge of the organisation. The excuses given for delaying tougher measures to tackle fare evasion are pitiful. There has been plenty of time to implement this policy from the start of 2012.

"It is time the Mayor stood up for honest passengers. From reducing the scandal of Oyster overcharging through to bringing down fare evasion there is so much more that the Mayor can and must do."

ENDS