MSE News: London bus and tube fares to rise 7%

Rolandtheroadie

thegrumpyone wrote: »

Is anyone else bored of listening to this man?

Bored of Brother Bob? Nope.

camaj

I don't think the fare rises are a bad thing per se, but they need to justify them at least. Tell us that the fares are going up in line with inflation and the extra is needed for X or Y. If we got an improved service in return for a fare hike I don't think people would mind as much.

Of course, with population growth, TfL are in a tough situation where in order to maintain the standard of service as numbers of journeys increases they need to spend money. This leaves them in a tricky situation of having to raise fares but the benefits being hidden

thegrumpyone wrote: »

Is anyone else bored of listening to this man?

He constantly 'defends passengers' by slating the TFL etc for increasing fares yet orders drivers to strike so he can blackmail TFL for pay increases.

A lot of the RMT action is, or appears to be, in the interests of passengers. It's pretty simple though, what's good for passengers is good for the TFL staff so the RMT have an interest in maintaining a good system for passengers. Sometimes, yes, it can lead to strikes which is seemingly hypocritical but it's a short term pain for a long term gain.

mr_fishbulb

camaj wrote: »

Of course, with population growth, TfL are in a tough situation where in order to maintain the standard of service as numbers of journeys increases they need to spend money. This leaves them in a tricky situation of having to raise fares but the benefits being hidden.

Surely if more people are using public transport then TfL will be getting additional money from the extra ticket sales without having to increase the price?

herpderpingstein

Yay paying more to travel in a cramped metal tube which is often delayed. I was planning on moving out of central to pay a bit less rent but this would kind of be offset by the travelcard increase.

Simon11

Do remember that as with Rail fares, average fares can only increase by RPI+2%. This is set by the government and they agreed to increasing the increase to 2% so that the railways are subsided less by the tax payer.

As for "lack" of improvements on the underground, simply look at TFL to see the developments ongoing! Its not cheap to upgrade a line to Automatic operation or increase the size of the station.

As for Bob Crow, why do the media let him comment on every bad new article about the railways. Its clearly a load of rubbish and he never states ANY facts. For example the Jubilee line had power supply problems on Thursday and Bob Crow blames it on TFL tightening its financial belt on Maintenance. So Bob Crow demanding for huge increases in salary for staff along with Olympic Bonus doesn't affect the overall budget?

diable

I think I'll carry on driving to work.

giraffe69

Eventually, but I'm sure not until after the Olympics, Tfl will need to confront the drivers and their salaries. They might do well to remember Reagan sacking all the air traffic controllers! It will certainly mean pain for Londoners with no tube services until it is resolved but unless it is faced we will go on with disruption being led by a 1960's throwback holding us all to hostage.

AirlieBird

Simon11 wrote: »

Do remember that as with Rail fares, average fares can only increase by RPI+2%. This is set by the government and they agreed to increasing the increase to 2% so that the railways are subsided less by the tax payer.

Not correct. The Government do not set any rules for TfL fare increases. It is The Mayor's own decision and he has a target of increasing fares by RPI + 2% but he reserves the right to increase by more or less. The exception is travelcards and season tickets which are tied in to the regulated National Rail fare increases of RPI + 3% because they are valid on National Rail services.

secreticicle

So I was going to get a annual season ticket on a company loan (zone 1-2) but I have a holiday in January 2012 (not working from December 23rd, back in January 18th) so I thought I'd save until I got back to give me three weeks free travel.

Now I'm confused whether it would be better to get it before I go away or not because of inflation?

Any maths types who could help?

stacey4415c

Thankfully student oyster cards are excluded