The price of travelling on London’s transport system is set to rise, according to the Mayor, Boris Johnson. The rises will be put in place because of a fall in revenue the capital has had since the recession took hold. The price of a ticket on the London Underground will rise by around to 3.9 per cent. Buses will have an average rise of 12.7 per cent when the new prices are introduced in January, making the cost of a seven-day pass go from £13.80 to £16.60. The congestion charge, which covers vehicles coming into the capital, will also see a rise to £10, its second rise since the charge was introduced in 2003.

Single bus fares around the city will rise an average of 20 per cent to £1.20, which has appalled some groups who fight for cheaper transport costs. Mr Johnson has said that the drop in revenue has been on all transport since people started travelling less because of unemployment and reduced leisure travel. He asked the people of London and all who visit to accept the new changes he has had to implement, as it was not an easy decision.

Unemployment in the city has grown to 8.7 per cent in August compared to just 7.5 per cent the previous year and the secretary for the Rail, Maritime & Transport Union said in an email statement that the increase in fares will just push transport figures lower as more and more people decide not to travel. Congestion charging was a big woe for the residents that live in the area. They receive a 90 per cent discount, but will still be left with a considerable amount to pay each year.