Boris cancels free public transport for New Year

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

UPDATE: Saturday, 19th December. The Evening Standard story appears to be wrong. The TFL website states: “There will be free travel on all journeys from 2345 until 0430 on the Tube, DLR, buses and trams”, which I have had verified by a member of staff. Many apologies for the misinformation.

UPDATE: Only Buses will remain free.

Free travel will be reduced to a bare minimum on New Year’s Eve in London after Boris Johnson scrapped the scheme which has been running since 2003 on trams, trains and the Tube, according to the Evening Standard. Only buses will remain free through the early hours.

The deicision has been criticised by Labour’s deputy leader on the London Assembly, John Biggs, who question’s Johnson’s transport priorities after £17 milion was paid to TfL staff in bonuses:

“The Mayor goes around telling everyone how much money he’s saving them but at the same time he’s paying out millions in bonuses. Any Londoner struggling or having to pay to get a train home on New Year’s Eve will have Boris Johnson and his Scrooge-like approach to Christmas to thank. This will hit commuters in the suburbs the hardest as they are the ones with least access to the Tube. The Mayor did promise to stick up for outer London but this is just another betrayal of that promise.”

The move – which will save only £100,000 – will particularly hit people in outer London and young Londoners. Many may now stay at home instead of celebrating in central London.