It seems as though all good things really do have to come to an end, folks, as the three-year fare freeze on London’s buses and trams has just officially terminated.
Back at the start of summer, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, declared that he’d be extending the budget-friendly freeze on fares (that was due to end in July) in a bid to keep TfL services as affordable as possible amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. The capital city’s bus and tram fares have remained at the same price since March 2023, but as of yesterday (November 1), the cost to catch a ride on board a bus or tram in London has officially risen.
How much do bus and tram fares now cost?
A standard adult pay-as-you-go fare has risen by 10p, increasing from £1.75 to £1.85. The new price will also apply to the ‘Hopper fare’ which allows Londoners to take unlimited journeys (for the price of just one) within an hour of tapping on to a bus or tram. The daily cap has risen from £5.25 to £5.55 and single journeys for passengers with an eligible concession card have gone up by just 5p.
Whilst I don’t expect anyone to be jumping for joy at the increase, it’s worth noting that London still boasts some of the lowest bus fares in the country. And on the whole, the city’s standard bus and tram fares have only increased by 35p in the past 10 years. Tube, train, and travelcard fares have not been affected by the fare increases, and are set to remain at their current price until March 2027.
A Transport for London spokesperson said: “We are committed to ensuring that London’s public transport remains affordable and accessible for all, with revenue raised via fares reinvested into improving services across London.
“London’s bus fares remain some of the lowers in the UK, and this is only the third time they’ve increased over the past decade, meaning they are still 17 per cent lower than if they had risen in line with inflation throughout this period.”
