Pic: Martin Addison
Just four weeks into the New Year, the average public transport fare has already risen by 5.6 per cent, with tube, bus, London Overground, Dockland Light Railway, boats and Tram services affected.
Additionally, this is now the fourth consecutive year that public transport fares in London have risen above inflation, meaning a travelcard for zone one to four now costs £30 more a month than it did in 2008.
Earlier this month, new figures released by the House of Commons Library revealed that the average fare rise since 2008 increased by 26 per cent, with bus fares up 50 per cent.
London Mayor Boris Johnson has come under increased pressure from Labour members of the London Assembly over significant fare rises, soaring six-figure City Hall salaries and increasing police cuts.
Labour’s budget spokesman, John Biggs, said: “Boris Johnson does not understand the pressure most Londoners are under – fares are becoming unaffordable and rents are extortionate. Not putting up his bit of the council tax is welcome as far as it goes, but saving of pennies a week does nothing to ease the pain of his above inflation fare rises.
“Our budget shows it is possible to have fairer pay at the top and balance the books to cut fares for ordinary Londoners.”
Transport for London told the BBC that fare increases are to cover transport upgrades and front-line service protection.
Read on to find out how EastLondonLines residents’ everyday lives have been affected by the rising prices.
Pic: Isabelle Gollas
Charlotte Humphries, 40, Stoke Newington
“I tend to use mostly buses, cycle or walk. If I used my oyster card every day I’d probably notice it much more though.”
Pic: Isabelle Gollas
Lizzie Sarah, 20, Student, Bow
“I use my bike a lot because buses are very expensive. I wish public transport was cheaper or that there were at least more student discounts.”
Pic: Isabelle Gollas
Veronica Philips, 16, student, Shoreditch
“Sometimes things are a bit tight money-wise, especially for young students. I often get late to college because when it’s off-peak I need to stop to top-up my oyster card to be able to travel cheaper.”
Pic: Agata Graf
Vincent McLaughlin, 68, retired, Croydon
“Personally, I do not suffer from the rising transport fares because I have a freedom pass and can travel for free. I think the increase of 7 per cent makes a huge difference for a lot of people and if I would be one of those who have to pay, it would cost a lot since I travel everyday.”
Pic: Isabelle Gollas
Carolyn Taylor-Webb, 33, Photography lecturer, New Cross Gate
“I use public transport at least three times a week, mostly the tube and London overground. When I do freelance work I sometimes have to travel further out and use regional public transport services as well. Mostly I travel with an oyster top-up.
The other day I forgot my oyster at home and had to pay £5.30 for a single fare ticket from King’s Cross to New Cross Gate. Paper tickets should not be more expensive than oyster tickets, it’s almost a bit of a con that they charge you more. I felt like they were almost telling me off for having forgotten my oyster card.”
Pic: Isabelle Gollas
Mohammad Omorfaruk, 21, Student, Stratford
“I’m a student, but I also have a part-time job, which means I need to use public transport at least five or six days a week to get around. Since I moved to London in 2009 there have been huge increases in travel fares every year. I don’t receive an increase in my salary though so it’s very tough for me.”
Pic: Mengdi Li
Ian Boxell, 29, Landlord, Croydon
“It is ridiculous how much money we spend on transport. It is completely unfair because the prices should be equal with the rest of Europe. Also I don’t see big improvements on railways. So why do we spend so much?”
