London MPs must fight Congestion Charge extension and Tube or bus fare hikes, businesses urge

London MPs have been urged by businesses to fight back against drastic increases in bus and Tube fares being forced by Government on Mayor Sadiq Khan in return for continuing support for Transport for London.

Starved of ticket revenues by the Covid-19 lockdowns, the Mayor is desperately trying to secure £4.9 billion of state funding to keep TfL alive for the next 18 months.

However, ministers have demanded that he increases fares and pushes through a far wider Congestion Charge zone and higher tube and bus fares in return for the money.

Ministers have even reportedly threatened to take over control of TfL in what have been increasingly acrimonious discussions.

Tonight, the London Chambers of Commerce called on London MPs to come together to find "a non-partisan and viable solution", saying the nature of the talks are "deeply troubling" for London businesses already hurting from the impact of Covid-19.

Chambers are writing to MPs to warn them of the impact on businesses of higher transport costs as they try to fight their way back from the crisis.

C-Charge extension would hamper the recovery "drastically", they said, adding: "Any fare hikes must be carefully considered, given the potential they have to further deter journeys on the TfL network, particularly into London's centre.

Richard Burge, chief executive of LCC said: "businesses are concerned about the reported conditions of the TfL funding deal and their implications.

"The increasingly politicised nature of the discussions isn't helping either."

He urged MPs of all parties to work together on a solution.

"Business is realistic that TfL needs to increase its revenue, but the likes of Congestion Charge expansion, or fare hikes,m run the risk of hugely hampering recovery before it has even got going.

"These conditions must be revisited, and we urge London MPs to come together to assess next steps."