Buckinghamshire Council insists Day Travelcards must stay
Buckinghamshire Council has written to the Mayor of London insisting he immediately withdraws the proposal by Transport for London to cease sale of Day Travelcards for people travelling into and throughout London.
This follows a motion debated and overwhelmingly agreed across all political parties at its recent full Council meeting.
In his letter to Sadiq Khan, Councillor Martin Tett, Leader of Buckinghamshire Council, states: ‘Currently, Day Travelcards provide unlimited travel on TfL services, including London Underground, bus, tram, Docklands Light Railway, London Overground and the Elizabeth line, and National Rail services in London. They can also be used to obtain a one third reduction in River Services fares. The proposals to remove Day Travelcards constitute an unfair, unacceptable, and expensive levy on Buckinghamshire residents who wish to travel to London. The proposals have deliberately targeted the removal of the Day Travelcard as a method to generate additional income for TfL.
It is anticipated by your own consultation that the withdrawal of Day Travelcards will result in rail operators ceasing to sell Zone 1-6 travelcards. This will add barriers and travel friction to journeys to London – running counter to evidence that passenger journeys and the use of public transport are enhanced by improving integrated ticketing not reducing it. No regard is given in the proposals for the potential loss of revenue to the London economy that may be caused by the increase in travel costs as Buckinghamshire residents risk being priced out of the nation’s capital. Employers, retail and leisure businesses, theatres and many others may see a reduction in revenue as the people of Buckinghamshire reduce their time and / or expenditure in London.
The withdrawal of Day Travelcards also risks being discriminatory against Buckinghamshire residents with special needs or disabilities who until now have been able to buy Day Travelcards for use by those travelling with them and assisting them.‘
Buckinghamshire Council awaits a response from the London Mayor’s office.
*Source of information : Press release from Buckinghamshire Council.