The cost of travelling on the Tube could now vary depending on how busy or quiet the network is.
It comes as the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, shared that 'dynamic pricing' could be introduced as Transport for London (TfL) has been considering the idea.
Khan shared that the change in fares would be to encourage more people to use the London transport system following the decline since the pandemic.
However, the Mayor added that there may not be enough time to introduce dynamic pricing ahead of the annual fare increase.
National rail fare will rise by 4.9% from March 3, whilst TfL fare rise for 2024 is expected to be confirmed soon, it's understood that London transport costs will increase to 4%, according to The Standard.
Will TfL be introducing dynamic pricing to the Tube?
Currently, travellers on the Tube have to pay peak fare prices from 6.30am to 9.30am and 4pm to 7pm on weekdays.
Sadiq Khan was previously asked by Lib-Dem member of the London Assembly, Caroline Pidgeon, about the potential use of dynamic pricing, as the Mayor responded: "Those are some of the options that TfL are looking into.
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“I have not made a decision in relation to what is doable in the short period of time we have got.
“We are getting numbers back but you are right to look into the question of times of day, parts of London and so forth.”
Khan added that the budget committee was looking into peak and off-peak prices, however, some have shared that while Tube fares could increase, London buses should remain low.
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Passenger watchdog London TravelWatch shared with The Standard that keeping bus fares low should be a priority after TfL previously increased bus fares by 10p: "If TfL does match the national rail fares hike, we believe it’s very important that bus fares are kept as low as possible (even if some other modes are increased).
“That’s because more people use the bus every day in London than any other type of transport, and they’re most used by lower-income Londoners.
"Further price hikes would not be fair and might deter people from using public transport.”
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