Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, is urging First Capital Connect and Network Rail to stop charging passengers for just walking over the bridge.
At present if anyone using Oyster Pay As You Go enters the station south of the river and passes through the First Capital Connect barriers to get to the tube platforms they are not charged, however people who simply want to walk through the station without catching a train or Tube are being charged.
Caroline Pidgeon commented:
“Blackfriars Bridge provides wonderful views of The Thames and the Tate Modern. We should welcome visitors and especially tourists wanting to enjoy these views.
“Oyster technology could easily allow Blackfriars train station to operate as a walking route and ensure visitors and tourists are not charged for merely walking through it.
“It is possible to be tough on fare evaders and not fleece people who merely want to walk through the station.
“I will be urging First Capital Connect and Network Rail to back down on this issue and ensure that passengers are no longer charged.”