THE PLAN to scrap One Day Travelcards to London has been condemned by Reading Borough Council.
The Mayor of London is currently consulting on the plan which would see an end to a single ticket being used on mainline railway services, London Underground trains and buses.
Instead, passengers would need to buy separate tickets and, while London Transport fares are capped, it would see the cost of an off-peak day trip rise from £29.60 to £38.90.
Other fares, including group travelcards, would also be withdrawn, greatly increasing the cost of days out.
As a result, Reading Borough Council has lodged an official objection to the plans, saying it is wrong to do so during a cost-of-living crisis, and that Reading passengers already pay high train fares for travel into and around the capital.
In addition to complaining about costs, the council has concerns over the increase in the number of tickets that will be issued. At the moment, only one is needed regardless of transport mode, but the change would be counterproductive, as people would need separate tickets.
There are also concerns that the price increase would put people in their cars rather than getting on the train, undermining sustainable travel alternatives.
And the council also has concerns about the impact on London’s economy, pointing out that off-peak travel demand has recovered at a faster rate than peak-time journeys.
They argue that as the capital’s economy relies on leisure spend, an increase in fares would deter Reading residents from visiting.
In a statement, Cllr Tony Page, lead councillor for climate strategy and transport, said: “Whether on the basis of cost, the inconvenience of having to buy separate tickets, or the impact on both the environment and 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.
“I think everybody understands that TfL services have been badly hit by the impact of the pandemic, and indeed there is some sympathy in that the conditions of Government funding settlements mean options for savings need to be explored, but this cannot be the right option in the current climate.”
He added: “Reading residents who regularly travel into London for work or for pleasure, as individuals or as a group, and particularly those who travel off-peak, will be badly hit if the day travelcard is withdrawn.
“I would encourage as many residents as possible to respond to TfL’s consultation and make their views known before the 23rd May deadline.”
As part of a funding agreement with the government, the company had to generate up to £1 billion of additional revenue a year, and one option identified was to withdraw the Trevlecards Agreement.
Weekly and longer-term Travelcards are unaffected by this consultation.
The Mayor of London has to give six months’ notice of withdrawal if the decision goes ahead.
A TfL spokesperson said: “As required by conditions of the government’s funding settlements, TfL is considering proposals to generate additional income. One of these proposals is withdrawal from elements of the Travelcard Agreement, such as TfL’s acceptance of Day Travelcards. TfL is in the process of contacting stakeholders to help inform this work.”
The consultation is available to view at: https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/travelcards
