What we now know, according to the Mayorwatch blog from yesterday, is that the Mayor has also delayed the introduction of new penalty fares which he also trumpeted at the time as a means of clawing back the lost revenue from fare evaders who were enjoying their bendy "free buses". The penalty was to rise, from Jan 2nd to coincide with this years hike in fares, to £80 as you can see from this "Mayoral Decision".
Notices on buses? No problem. |
They certainly had enough time to pump out press releases about it.
LibDem Leader on the Greater London Authority Caroline Pidgeon is not best impressed. She said yesterday that:
"This is a necessary step to reduce fare evasion - and indeed the Mayor needs to explain why this proposal has now been delayed.
"Given the high cost of fares, passengers expect the Mayor to tackle fare evaders who are playing the system.
"However honesty cuts both ways. We must now end the abuse where so many passengers are being overcharged on their Oystercards."
Hard to disagree.
Oyster Cards will be gone in two years' time. Fact.
ReplyDeleteooh!
ReplyDeleteWhere?! Joining Mixed Sea Food Platter??
ReplyDeleteThey're going to be phased out in favour of "wave and pay" debit and credit cards. In other words, TfL will take the money straight out of your account each day (unless you buy a travelcard/season ticket).
ReplyDeleteIt makes sense, as it means that TfL will no longer be holding lots of cash in their accounts that hasn't actually been spent on travel. I imagine that's a pretty big logistical issue at the moment.