Caroline Pidgeon AM, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group and transport spokesperson, commenting on Transport for London’s announcement today that daily and weekly capping will start for contactless payments on London’s buses, from the 16th September, said:
“The introduction of daily capping on contactless bus fares is welcome. It brings contactless payment in line with Oyster. However introducing a weekly cap on contactless bus fares offers a new and cheaper fare option that excludes people who use Oyster.
“The Mayor of London has repeatedly made a pledge that Oyster fares will always offer the cheapest fares. Sadly that pledge has been ripped up by the Mayor.
“People without access to bank accounts will be excluded from this new fare. In addition people who have to budget from one day to the next and cannot afford a weekly bus pass, or because of variable work contracts cannot predict what their travel plans will be over the week ahead, will also run the risk of being excluded from the cheapest fare options.
“If the Mayor was serious about honouring his long standing commitment he would ensure that a weekly cap exists on Oyster just as it will soon exist on contactless payments.
“The cheapest fares must be accessible to the poorest Londoners. Regrettably the Mayor seems to disagree.”