Fares must not rise above inflation says Ken Livingstone

Thursday, 15 October 2009 09:28

In response to rumours that London Mayor, Boris Johnson, will announce substantial fare increase today, Ken Livingstone, has said that London's transport fares rise no higher than the rate of inflation to protect the economy and living standards.

Ken Livingstone said:
"Substantial fare increases would hit living standards and make the economic situation in London worse. A recession always reduces fares income, which is one of the reasons I left Transport for London with very large financial reserves, but Boris Johnson has run those reserves down by a series of financially and environmentally irresponsible decisions.

"He has said he will scrap the western extension of the congestion charge zone to Kensington, scrapped the £25 congestion charge on gas guzzlers, delayed extension of the Low Emission Zone, he has wasted millions on removing bendy buses and the 'new routemaster' vanity project and ended the cheap oil for technical advice agreement with Venezuela. Londoners are now expected to pay for these policies with higher fares.

"Instead of raising fares for millions of Londoners, Boris Johnson should retain the western extension of the congestion charge, saving £70million a year, raise another £50 million a year by introducing a £25 emissions charge on gas guzzlers driving into central London and accept abandon plans to get rid of bendy buses replacing them with an extortionately expensive new routemaster bus.

"I left Boris Johnson with Transport for London reserves and plans to raise more funds and protect the environment. He has cut investment, reduced protection of the environment and hammered ordinary Londoners with above inflation fare increases. In essence his policy is that the majority of Londoners should pay to subsidise the better off and worst polluters. That is no joke for London."