Concerns with Mayor of London's plan to stop travelcards

Wokingham Borough Council has written to Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to express concerns about the proposal to withdraw day travelcards which could see the cost for residents commuting from the borough to London increase by up to 29 per cent.

Executive member for active travel, transport and highways, Cllr Paul Fishwick, stated in his letter, which was in line with his individual executive members decision, the council shared the vision and ambition of the mayor’s Transport Strategy.

He highlighted the importance of a good public transport experience, the most efficient way for people to travel distances that are too long to walk or cycle. 

Worse journey and deal for residents

Cllr Fishwick believes that the mayor’s proposal to withdraw day travelcards will go against the ideal of a seamless whole journey experience.

It will leave residents travelling from Wokingham borough having to make multiple ticket purchases, inevitably making journeys less seamless and more inconvenient.

The letter states that the council understands the impact the pandemic has had on the economic viability of all public transport provisions, with Wokingham Borough facing similar challenges. 

However, Cllr Fishwick does not think proposed changes would help to achieve the additional £1billion in income that Transport for London is hoping to achieve.

Cost of travel to increase up to 29 per cent

“We truly understand the challenges that the pandemic has had on the economic viability of all public transport provisions," Cllr Fishwick said.

"However, increasing the cost of travel significantly is likely to have a detrimental effect on the demand for rail travel and will therefore amplify the financial situation not improve it.

“Cost increases of 27 to 29 per cent are significant, especially set against the backdrop of the current increases in cost of living which has resulted in residents having less disposable income.

"Off-peak leisure travel is likely to be non-essential travel and therefore any increases in cost are likely to reduce demand for travel or cause residents to look for other ways to make their journeys.

“The council is unable to support the mayor’s proposal to withdraw the day travelcard and we urge the mayor to reconsider the true impact of the scheme.”

How it impacts residents

Wokingham Borough has six rail stations, five of which directly link to London, with Twyford Station being served by the Transport for London Elizabeth Line.

The current cost for an adult to travel off-peak from Twyford to London with a day travel card is £26.40 and the cost of an equivalent journey from Wokingham Station to London with a day travelcard is £32.40.

Whilst the cost of travelling to underground stations in zone 1 and 2 may be slightly cheaper, for travel in zones beyond these, the cost increases by 27 per cent from Twyford Station and by 29 per cent from Wokingham Station should the day travelcard be removed.