Latest news with #fareIncrease
Telegraph
11 hours ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Labour orders Khan to raise Tube fares every year until 2030
'Once again, Labour has forced inflation-busting fare rises on Londoners, humiliating Mayor Khan by yet again removing his fare-setting power,' he said. 'All while he pretends they're on our side and supporting devolution – ridiculous.' The retail price index (RPI) measure of inflation stood at 4.3 per cent in May. The Government prefers referring to the lower CPI measure of inflation, which economists say is a more reliable measure of inflation. Yet RPI is widely used across the public and private sectors alike to maximise financial returns from things, such as rental contracts. 'Offers no comfort to Londoners' Sir Sadiq increased most TfL fares – including for the Elizabeth line and London Overground – by about 4.6pc in March, but froze bus fares at £1.75. Main line rail fares are set by the Department for Transport (DfT), which has traditionally used RPI-plus-1 per cent. Last year that increase was also 4.6pc. The next TfL fare increase is not due until March 2026, but may be announced before Christmas, the London Standard reported. London TravelWatch chief executive Michael Roberts said the above-inflation rises 'offers no comfort to Londoners who continue to feel the pinch of the ongoing cost of living crisis and some of the most expensive public transport fares in Europe.' He added: 'In previous years, the blow has been softened by freezing London bus fares. We look forward to seeing how TfL plans to keep fares affordable for those who need it most while ensuring at the same time that there is enough investment to maintain and renew the capital's existing transport network.' 'More complex than expected' In a second blow for London commuters on Friday, TfL also announced that new trains for the Piccadilly Line will not enter service for another year. Air-conditioned 2024 stock units were meant to be rolled out later this year, but will now not do so until the second half of 2026. TfL said that tests of the Austrian-made prototype train in London had proved 'more complex than expected', adding that 'mitigations or design alterations' might result. Stuart Harvey, TfL's Chief Capital Officer, said: 'It will obviously be disappointing for customers that they will have to wait a bit longer for the new trains, and I regret that. 'But I would like to assure Londoners and visitors to our city that we are working extremely closely with Siemens to ensure that the new trains can be introduced as soon as possible in the second half of next year.' Sambit Banerjee, the joint chief executive of Siemens Mobility, which is building the new trains, said: 'Any project like this is complicated – we're bringing state-of-the-art, air-conditioned, walk-through trains into tunnels that were built 120 years ago.' Sir Sadiq's spokesman said: 'The Mayor will confirm plans for future fares in due course. However, the Government has been clear that the funding settlement assumes TfL fares will increase each year by RPI+1 for each year of the settlement.'
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fare increases planned for Ring and Ride buses
Fares for the region's Ring and Ride services are set to increase for the first time in eight years due to cost pressures. Charges for a single trip would rise from £1.30 to £2 if the plans are approved by West Midlands Combined Authority's (WMCA) board later this month. Board members are also expected to award contracts to operators which will guarantee the service for a minimum of five years from 1 December. Demand for Ring and Ride services has grown steadily, according to WMCA figures which show 2,487 people have taken a trip in the last six months. Bosses said the last week of March was the busiest since the start of 2020, when the service was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. The authority currently provides a subsidy of nearly £6.5m per year to run the service but this is almost half the figure from 2010/11 when its budget was around £12 million. A WMCA report said income from fares brought in about £250,000 per year and that this was reinvested into the service. Despite rises in inflation, charges have remained the same since April 2017. The fees are much lower than the region's fixed route bus network – which will see fares increased further later this month – which has led to concerns people who do not need Ring and Ride might attempt to switch to it. "Fares are now significantly lower than the standard single bus fares despite the significantly higher level of customer service," the report said. "The current scenario could also potentially drive people who don't need this service to switch to it rather than using fixed route bus. "Without any fares adjustments the service will become increasingly unsustainable and place further pressure on the transport levy." If approved, the new Ring and Ride fare structure would be: £2 – Registered user aged 16+ / essential escort carer (up from £1.30) £1 – Registered user aged 5-15 (up from 65p) £2 – Adult travelling with registered user (down from £2.40) £1 – Child travelling with a registered user (up from 65p) Children under the age of 5 will still travel for free This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Hundreds of jobs saved at Ring and Ride service Strategy to improve bus network could cost £44m 'Ghost buses' and cut services: Passengers complain as bus cap rises WMCA Local Democracy Reporting Service
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Fare increases planned for West Midlands Ring and Ride buses
Fares for the region's Ring and Ride services are set to increase for the first time in eight years due to cost for a single trip would rise from £1.30 to £2 if the plans are approved by West Midlands Combined Authority's (WMCA) board later this members are also expected to award contracts to operators which will guarantee the service for a minimum of five years from 1 for Ring and Ride services has grown steadily, according to WMCA figures which show 2,487 people have taken a trip in the last six months. Bosses said the last week of March was the busiest since the start of 2020, when the service was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. The authority currently provides a subsidy of nearly £6.5m per year to run the service but this is almost half the figure from 2010/11 when its budget was around £12 million.A WMCA report said income from fares brought in about £250,000 per year and that this was reinvested into the rises in inflation, charges have remained the same since April fees are much lower than the region's fixed route bus network – which will see fares increased further later this month – which has led to concerns people who do not need Ring and Ride might attempt to switch to it."Fares are now significantly lower than the standard single bus fares despite the significantly higher level of customer service," the report said."The current scenario could also potentially drive people who don't need this service to switch to it rather than using fixed route bus."Without any fares adjustments the service will become increasingly unsustainable and place further pressure on the transport levy." If approved, the new Ring and Ride fare structure would be:£2 – Registered user aged 16+ / essential escort carer (up from £1.30)£1 – Registered user aged 5-15 (up from 65p)£2 – Adult travelling with registered user (down from £2.40)£1 – Child travelling with a registered user (up from 65p)Children under the age of 5 will still travel for free This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
