Stop the Mayor of London’s Above-Inflation TfL Fare Hike

Why the Liberal Democrats Oppose This Fare Hike

The Labour Mayor of London is threatening to raise fares on the London Underground by an average of about 5.8% from March 2026, well above inflation. This means single Tube fares, Travelcards, and rail journeys across TfL services will become significantly more expensive. 

Londoners are already struggling with an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis.  Household budgets for Brent residents are being stretched to breaking point by rising rent, energy bills, food costs - not to mention local Labour council tax rises.  At such a time, increasing the cost of daily travel, essential for work, education, healthcare and family life, will inflict additional hardship on ordinary people.  

Examples of planned increases include:

- A typical Zone 1–2 peak Tube journey rising from about £3.50 to £3.70.

- A Zone 1–6 peak journey (e.g., from Uxbridge to Baker Street) rising from £5.80 to around £6.15.

Impact on Brent and London Residents

This fare rise will disproportionately affect the people who depend most on London’s transport network: low and middle income workers, students, and families. For many in Brent, affordable public transport is not a luxury: it’s essential for getting to work, accessing education, attending medical appointments, and caring for loved ones.

Moreover, the increase will weigh especially heavily on key workers: nurses, carers, teachers, emergency service workers, retail staff, transport workers, council employees and others who keep our city functioning day in, day out. Many of these key workers already face squeezed salaries and housing costs, and higher travel costs will make life yet harder.