Tube fares will increase by 4.6% in March 2025, but bus fares remain frozen at £1.75 for another year, benefiting London commuters.
London: So, here’s the scoop. Tube fares are going up by about 4.6% starting in March 2025. But don’t worry, bus fares are staying the same at £1.75 for another year. That’s a win for bus riders!
Mayor Sadiq Khan announced this change, saying he wants to keep bus fares affordable. It’s the second year in a row that bus fares won’t budge, which is pretty cool considering they’re the cheapest in the country.
He’s also keeping the Hopper fare, which lets you switch between buses or trams within an hour without paying extra. This is great for those who rely on public transport daily.
Now, the Tube fare hike is double the inflation rate, which is currently at 2.3%. The government told Khan he had to raise fares to match national rail increases, or risk losing funding for Transport for London.
Daily and weekly caps for pay-as-you-go travel will also go up by 4.6%. So, if you’re traveling in zones 1-2, expect to pay around £8.90 for the daily cap.
Khan mentioned that he’s been trying to make fares fairer for Londoners. He’s proud to freeze bus and tram fares again, especially since more people use buses than any other transport.
However, he did warn that this fare freeze might not last beyond next March. Earlier this year, he decided against raising pay-as-you-go fares, which surprised a lot of folks.
But here’s the kicker: Transport for London is facing some serious financial issues, partly due to a cyber attack. They’re currently running a £5 million deficit, which is a lot worse than they expected.
Despite all this, Khan is optimistic about future projects and upgrades to the Tube network. He’s hoping to keep things moving smoothly for everyone in London.