Transport for London (TfL) is increasing some fares to Heathrow airport to meet the conditions of the UK government’s latest £1.2 billion of “extraordinary” funding to allow key projects to go ahead in the UK capital.
The change sees all journeys on London Underground and Elizabeth line services starting or ending at Heathrow, which travel through central London (Zone 1), being charged at peak rates.
This will mean a £2 increase to current off-peak fares to and from the airport – rising to £5.50 on the Piccadilly line and £12.80 for the Elizabeth line. Journeys to the airport avoiding Zone 1 will continue to be charged at the lower off-peak fare.
London’s transport network has required a series of bailouts from the UK government, adding up to more than £5 billion, during the past two years to cope with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, said: “Raising more money from fares was a condition of our funding deal with government. This fare increase was chosen as one which would have a lower impact on Londoners currently worried about the cost of living.”
Transport secretary Grant Shapps said the extra funding for TfL would last until March 2024 and “unlock almost £3.6 billion worth of critical infrastructure investment” through a range of new projects in London.
“As a result of our longer-term settlement, major upgrades will be delivered for Londoners, including new Piccadilly line trains and the modernisation of the District, Metropolitan, Hammersmith and City and Circle lines – maintaining the London Underground’s world-class status,” added Shapps.