Huge hike in fares attacked by Lib Dems

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 19th Aug 2003

Mayor Ken Livingstone's decision to increase bus and Tube fares was today criticised by the London Assembly Liberal Democrats.

Lynne Featherstone, transport spokesperson and Chair of the London Assembly transport committee, said:

"The Mayor is happy to put his hands in London's pockets when he needs a bit of cash - be that the council precept or raising fares. A bit more success in negotiating with Government on funding London and negotiating with the private tube consortia on improvements within the PPP should be his priority.

"The huge hike in cash fares on the tube is way beyond encouraging prepayment on a service which is still failing the public and on which fares are already the most expensive in the world.

"The Mayor is trying to disguise this hike behind the prepay argument. A bigger switch to repayment is needed, but he should be looking to improve services not charge more for poor current ones."