Transport for London has announced a three-month trial of all-day Friday off-peak fares, starting next week.
The trial will be valid for pay-as-you-go tube and train fares made with contactless cards and Oyster, on Fridays between March 8 and May 31.
Peak fares would normally apply on both TfL and National Rail services between 06.30 and 09.30 on weekday mornings, and again between 16.00 and 19.00.
TfL gave examples of potential savings of £2.70 per one-way trip between Epsom and Waterloo, with commuters paying the £6.10 off-peak fare instead of the £8.80 peak fare. Those traveling from Zone 6 to Zone 1 would normally pay £5.60 each way during peak times, and this amount would be reduced to £3.60 during the trial period.
The daily limit will also be changed from peak to off-peak hours on Fridays, “helping those who make multiple trips during the day save even more.” Bus and tram fares will be affected by the trial as they are already set at a flat rate of £1.75.
However, please note that the test will not apply to travel to or from Heathrow Airport through Zone 1.
TfL said the initiative will help it understand whether reduced fares could encourage more people to return to public transport and the office “on a day that is currently quieter than other weekdays”.
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed workers' views on commuting (last year) Network Rail announced it would trial weekday daytime engineering jobs in response to changes in travel patterns.
A total of £24 million has been allocated from the Mayor of London's budget to compensate TfL and rail operators for lower fare income during the trial and cover the costs of running it.
Visit London has created a new page on its website to promote the trial, as well as a series of Friday deals that will run in conjunction.
Commenting on the news, Shashi Verma, TfL's chief technology officer, said:
“While millions of people travel by bus, tube and train across London every day, we still see passenger numbers on Fridays, especially during peak times, being lower than other days of the week.
“This trial of making Fridays off-peak hours will help us better understand how specific initiatives like this could potentially help support economic growth by encouraging more people to return to public transport and the office on a day that is currently calmer than other days of the week.
tfl.go.uk
