AXING one-day travelcards to London will have a serious impact on passengers, says one of Reading’s two MPs.
Matt Rodda has written to Transport for London to express his concerns over plans to axe the special ticket that allows Reading residents to pay one price for unlimited use of bus and tube services in the capital city as well as catching a Great Western or South Western rail service to and from Paddington or Waterloo stations.
The London transport company, overseen by the mayor of London, has to make savings and is looking at dropping the scheme.
Reading and Wokingham borough councils have both expressed their opposition to the plan, and now the Reading East MP has joined their calls.
In his letter, Mr Rodda said: “The travelcard is a very important fare for a wide range of residents.
“The withdrawal would mean a significant increase to many passengers’ fares to London, especially those wishing to travel off-peak, with the cost set to increase from £29.60 to £38.90.
“This notable change is likely to affect those who travel to London one or two days a week, including many self-employed people and part-time workers… it could also affect those travelling for leisure and some students.”
He was also concerned about the impact such a large price hike would have on passengers already struggling due to the cost of living crisis as well as the climate emergency.
“Removal of this scheme could discourage residents from using the train when this should be promoted as a more environmentally friendly way to travel to London,” he wrote.
“An increase in car usage is likely to lead to more carbon dioxide emissions and risks reducing air quality in London.”
He added: “I believe this proposal would be against the interests of local residents”.
While he was still leader councillor transport, Cllr Tony Page wrote to Transport for London saying Reading Borough Council objected on grounds of cost, inconvenience, undermining sustainable travel alternatives, and the impact on London’s economy.
“The proposal to withdraw its day travelcard is completely at odds with the established direction of travel for TfL, and indeed local authorities. That is particularly the case during a cost-of-living crisis which shows no sign of abating, and a climate emergency where we should be actively encouraging cheap and realistic alternatives to the private car, rather than making them less attractive,” he said.
And Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for active travel, transport and highways, Cllr Paul Fishwick, said: “Increasing the cost of travel significantly is likely to have a detrimental effect on the demand for rail travel and will therefore amplify the financial situation not improve it.”
The consultation closed on May 23.
