Unfair Tube and Bus fare hikes slammed! (Chris Nicholson)

Unfair Tube and Bus fare hikes slammed!

October 20, 2009 3:56 PM

Lib Dem campaigners with giant one hour bus ticket Credit: Pete Pattisson Chris Nicholson, Parliamentary candidate for Streatham, has condemned Boris Johnson's proposal of increased transport prices. The Conservative Mayor will raise tube and bus fares, which he said would "hit the poorest hardest".

A single bus journey using an Oyster card in London, will rise from £1 to £1.20. A single Tube trip in zone one using an Oyster card will increase 12.5 per cent to £1.80. Overall, Bus fares will jump by 12.7 per cent and Tube fares by 3.9 per cent.

Chris commented: "Boris has chosen to make those on low incomes pay the price for TfL's financial mismanagement and his daft vanity projects. He has decided to make those using short, single bus trips bear the brunt".

The Lib Dems would hold down fares, by stopping the huge waste at TfL under the Mayor's stewardship. TfL is throwing away £50m on

scrapping bendy buses alone. Buses are vital for Londoners on low incomes who cannot afford to use the Tube, yet the increase in bus fares is much greater than the increase in tube fares. A 1% rise in Council Tax contributions to City Hall would mean a smaller increase in fares.

Local Lib Dem campaigner Chris Nicholson said: "Boris Johnson is having a laugh at Londoners expense. Time and time again hard-working

local people who rely on the tube and bus to get around have seen fares rocket".

"This is the worst possible time to push up prices. People's finances are hard pressed, and the Victoria line is in chaos every other weekend or so. Passengers should not be forced to pay more at a time when they are receiving a sub-standard service."

Please sign our petition to oppose the Mayor's plans by clicking below!

http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/farehikes