London TravelWatch has expressed concern about the above-inflation fare rises on tubes, trains and buses, which come into force this week.

Sharon Grant, Chair, London TravelWatch, said: “Passengers are, again, facing above-inflation fare rises on trains, tubes and buses, which is a concern at any time, but will hit particularly hard in these difficult economic times.”

Fares will rise on Friday 2 January 2009, with fares rising at least one per cent over inflation, but with many fares, especially off-peak fares rising by considerably more.

Sharon Grant continued: “We don’t want to see less frequent or leisure travellers, who are being hit hard again this year, priced off the railway altogether, and these fare hikes do not encourage a move away from the private car for unnecessary journeys. Research shows us that passengers don’t think they get value for money at the moment, and they need to be convinced that these fare rises are being re-invested in the transport network. We understand that upgrading work on the tube and rail networks is vital, and must be paid for, but passengers cannot go on being promised jam tomorrow " they want to see improvements in their regular journeys now.”

London TravelWatch has published advice to ensure passengers are getting the best deal from their current tickets.

For media enquiries, please contact Jo deBank in the London TravelWatch press office on 020 7726 9953 or out of hours on 07734 055494.

The voice of London's transport users
31 December 2008