Confusion over Sadiq Khan's plans for off-peak Friday fares trial

Talks are under way between Transport for London (TfL) and train operators amid confusion over Sadiq Khan's plans for off-peak Friday travel.

On Monday, London's mayor said operators running rail services in the capital would be given £2m a week to reduce their fares.

But TfL said less money than that was available, and no agreement had been reached.

The Conservatives described the plan as an "gimmick" which was "unravelling".

The revenue of train operating companies (TOCs) is affected by any plan to scrap peak travel in the capital because their fares are intertwined with TfL fares.

TfL collects fares via Oyster, contactless and travelcards and apportions an agreed sum to the train operators for the journeys passengers make on their services.

The mayor revealed at the weekend he had asked TfL to bring in a three-month trial of off-peak fares on Fridays, forecast to cost £24m.

Speaking to LBC radio on Monday, Mr Khan said: "We are going to be paying the privatised train companies every Friday £2m to make sure they reduce their fares, so they are off-peak as well."

Over the proposed 12-week trial, that would cost £24m alone on rail services, without taking into account the expected loss of revenue to TfL on the Tube and London Overground.

TfL later clarified that the £2m a week and £24m total cost was to cover both TOC and TfL fare revenue, and the "split" had not yet been agreed.

The transport body added it could only go ahead with the trial if the train operators agreed to the plan, with discussions now having started.

Peter Fortune, Conservative member of the London Assembly, said Mr Khan's policy was "unravelling".

"Just 48 hours after his announcement, it's clear this pledge was an election gimmick that fails to stand up to scrutiny," he said.

"The mayor has merely 'asked' TfL to look into the possibility of pausing off-peak fares on Friday and has yet to say how much money will be made available to train operators."

When asked for comment, a spokesperson for the mayor said: "The Friday fares trial should be a win-win for everyone, putting money back into Londoners' pockets during the cost-of-living crisis, and providing a real boost to London's businesses.

"Getting more people on public transport on Fridays will mean more people spending money in shops, cafes and cultural venues, experiencing all London has to offer."

It is understood that the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents train operators, first learned of the mayor's plan on Friday. That was after some journalists had been told, and two days before the scheme was announced publicly.

An RDG spokesman said: "We want rail to grow and will work with TfL, the Department for Transport and other industry partners to find a solution that encourages more people on to trains and boosts local businesses."

The mayor wants the trial to start in March, which means the results will not be known until after the mayoral election on 2 May.

Some industry sources suggest it will be difficult to reach agreement with the TOCs and make the necessary technical changes by March.

If the trial goes ahead, the cost of travelling during peak time on Fridays on the Tube from Zone 6 into Zone 1 would fall from £5.60 to £3.60. Making a similar journey, including just part of it, on a rail service would save a passenger £1.40.

According to TfL, peak-time usage in the middle of the week is at 78% of pre-pandemic levels, compared with 60% on Fridays.

Peak fares have been removed in Scotland for a trial that began in October.

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