London day travelcards saved following revenue deal

Day travelcards will be maintained after a deal was agreed between Transport for London (TfL), train operators and the government.

The cards offer unlimited travel to passengers on public transport in zones 1-6 of London, including Tube, bus, rail, and London Overground services.

TfL had said it was underfunded by the travelcard agreement at an annual cost of about £40m.

London mayor Sadiq Khan said TfL will get a "fairer share of ticket revenue".

Last year, 12 million day travelcards were sold, double the number in Covid-hit 2020, but down from 27 million in 2018.

The daily travelcards are currently priced at £15.20.

But from 24 March there will be 3% one-off increase on the travelcards on top of the annual fare increase.

London's mayor said the new deal will allow TfL to keep the day travelcard while also meeting a requirement to make £600m in savings as part of government financial aid agreed during the pandemic.

"I refused to countenance removing weekly, monthly or season travelcards and today I am pleased to confirm the day travelcard is also now safe," Mr Khan said.

Train operators were represented in the negotiations by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG).

The group's commercial director, Paul Bowden, said: "I think it is a great outcome for customers that we're able to keep this popular ticket, which offers customers complete travel flexibility in London."

Rail Minister, Huw Merriman, said the government has given £6bn to TfL over the past three years and that the travelcard agreement came after a "government intervention".

Norman Baker from Campaign for Better Transport said those who use the cards to travel into the capital will "breathe a sigh of relief today".

"This is a great decision for sustainable transport and the people who use it, and a happy day for our capital and its businesses," he added.

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