The good news is that London bus and tram fares will remain frozen in 2025, while the bad news is that Tube and rail fares will rise by 4.6%, in line with the National Rail fare increase.
Mayor announces TfL fares package for 2025, with a freeze to bus and tram fares
- Tube and rail fares to rise by 4.6 per cent in line with national rail fare increases from March 2025
- The Mayor will freeze bus and tram fares for the sixth time since 2016, keeping them one of the lowest in the UK, and helping to boost ridership
- In a letter to the Mayor, Government ministers made it clear they expected TfL Tube and rail fares to rise in order to secure future national funding for London
- Revenue from fare rises will be reinvested in TfL services and help unlock government funding for vital infrastructure projects
- Customers will still be able to take unlimited bus and tram journeys within an hour for just £1.75 using the Mayor’s Hopper Fare
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today announced that he will freeze bus and tram fares for an historic sixth time next year, meaning Londoners continue to pay the same fares as since March 2023, keeping them one of the lowest in the UK, and helping to boost ridership on the bus network.
The Mayor also confirmed that Tube and rail fares across London will rise by 4.6 per cent from 2 March 2025 – in line with national rail fare increases across the country. This comes after the Government wrote to the Mayor following the October Budget to say it expected TfL Tube and rail fares to rise in line with national fares in order for London to be able to secure funding for major transport infrastructure projects in the future.
The freeze on bus and tram fares will support lower-income and disabled Londoners, who are more likely to use bus and tram services, the most accessible way to get around London.
The bus remains the most used form of public transport in the capital. Across London, bus ridership continues to grow, with more than 1 billion bus journeys made already this financial year. More than 95 per cent of Londoners live within 400 metres of a bus stop and the Mayor has worked hard to ensure buses remain the most accessible, affordable and sustainable form of transport. The Mayor’s Hopper fare, which provides unlimited bus and tram journeys within an hour of your first journey for just £1.75, remains in place – helping Londoners travel across London more affordably.
Londoners continue to benefit from the Mayor’s previous fares freezes over five years, with fares in March 2025 set to be nine per cent lower than if fares had risen in line with National Rail fares since 2016 and 16 per cent lower than if they had risen in line with inflation throughout this period. The proposed bus and tram fare freeze means bus and tram fares in London remain only 25p higher than 2016, when Sadiq was first elected as Mayor, and 23 per cent lower than if they had risen in line with inflation since 2016.
All concessions, including Zip photocards, the 18+ student photocard, the 18-25 Carer leavers pass and the 60+ London photocard will remain unchanged, providing free or discounted transport for millions of Londoners.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Londoners know from my record that wherever possible I've made TfL fares more affordable and fairer for Londoners - whether through the introduction of the Hopper bus fare or freezing TfL fares for five years as Mayor.
“I’m really pleased to announce that I’ll be freezing bus and tram fares yet again next year, making it the sixth time since 2016. More Londoners use the bus than any other form of public transport, and it will particularly benefit those on the lowest incomes.
“Following the Government’s budget, ministers made clear that to secure national funding for key transport projects in the future, TfL Tube and rail fares would need to increase in line with national rail fares. Vital national government funding will allow us to progress exciting future projects, such as Superloop 2 and more upgrades to the Tube network, as we continue building a fairer, safer and greener London for everyone.’
Alex Williams, Chief Customer and Strategy Officer at TfL, said: “This fares package aims to keep fares as affordable as possible while supporting London’s continued economic growth. Through daily and weekly capping, as well as the Hopper fare and our wide range of concessions, people using our services can continue to get the best value fare by using pay as you go with contactless and Oyster.”
Despite the rail fare increase, TfL’s fares remain an affordable way to travel in the capital. A pay as you go Tube fare from Zone 1 to Zone 5 (for example: Victoria to Dagenham East on the District line) will rise by only 10p in both peak and off-peak, an increase of between 2-3 per cent. Pay as you go fares in Zone 1 will also only increase by 10p. These measures will support central London’s growing economy, and also support Londoners commuting from outer London. Daily caps will increase by between 40p and 70p in proportion to the increases in Travelcard season ticket prices, which are increasing overall by 4.6 per cent. This means the daily cap for someone travelling just in Zones 1-2 will be £8.90. Customers travelling just in Zones 1-3 will pay no more than £10.50 daily.
For more information, visit www.tfl.gov.uk/fares
Notes to Editors:
On Tube, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line and National Rail services in London:
Peak fares - Monday to Friday (not on public holidays) between 06:30 and 09:30, and between 16:00 and 19:00
Off-peak fares - at all other times and if you travel from a station outside Zone 1 to a station in Zone 1 between 16:00 and 19:00, Monday to Friday
All Tube and Elizabeth journeys to and from Heathrow Airport are charged peak fares if they start, end or go through Zone 1.
- Within the average 4.6 per cent increase, there will be some TfL fares that go up less than 4.6 per cent, and some slightly more due to small increments in rounding.
- Travelcards and daily/weekly caps – which are set jointly with the DfT and relevant train operating companies – will rise by RPI+1 (4.6 per cent).
In the eight years prior to 2016, TfL fares increased by more than 42 per cent. This increase refers to the cumulative increase across all ticket types, including Travelcards and caps, from 2008 to 2016. Since 2016, fares in London have only increased by 26 per cent in total (including Travelcards and caps), 23 percent lower than if they had been in line with inflation since 2016.
The London Mayor's Decision on the March 2025 fare changes for Transport for London services www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/g... Highlights from document, "MD3318 March 2025 fare changes - SIGNED".
— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 12:51 PM
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In conclusion, the 2025 TfL fares package introduces a combination of measures aimed at balancing affordability with necessary funding. Bus and tram fares will remain frozen for the sixth consecutive year, while Tube and rail fares will rise by 4.6%, in line with national increases. This adjustment is intended to secure government funding for key infrastructure projects. The freeze on bus and tram fares will support those who rely on these services, particularly lower-income and disabled Londoners, while ensuring that public transport remains an accessible and sustainable option for all.
Advice
TfL has listed various types of free and discounted travel options (including the Zip Oyster and 60+ Oyster) on their website.
If
you are disabled and facing difficulties obtaining a Freedom Pass or a
transport concession, such as the ENCTS, through your local authority,
you can reach out to Transport for All for advice.
The Disability News Service provides a list of organisations and law firms on their website, and Inclusion London offers a directory of Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations.
I would like to extend an invite for you to follow me on X (formerly Twitter) for transport-related updates. You can find me by searching for @CLondoner92 or by clicking on the direct link to my X page here. I am also present on BlueSky and Mastodon. I look forward to connecting with you on these platforms. Thank you for your support.
Further reading:
I Believe TfL Should Reform The Travelcard Agreement To Offer Smart Flexible Ticketing Options
Former Vice Chair of TfL and former Chair of the GLC's Transport Committee Dave Wetzel (RIP 1942 - 2024) on the benefits of reducing London Transport (buses and Underground) fares in 1981. pic.twitter.com/rQaKV12vfU
— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) September 6, 2024
