Riders on London buses will now be able to transfer free to another bus to complete a journey. While new mayor Sadiq Khan had pledged the new fare system to make “travel more affordable for all Londoners,” it’s an obvious benefit for visitors as well.
The new fare, called “Hopper,” had been proposed before, but rejected by the previous mayor as too expensive. London’s single-ride bus ticket goes for £1.50, or about $2.20. Because fares on London’s rail system are higher, the bus is an important alternative for lower-income Londoners…if they don’t have to pay a double fare.
The Hopper transfer is good for a transfer within one hour of starting the journey. For now, only one transfer is possible, but software upgrades already scheduled will make it possible soon for multiple transfers, as long as they are within one hour of the start of the trip.
The mayor has also pledged a 4-year freeze on Transport for London fares. For more details from The Telegraph (UK), click HERE
Photo: RhysGeoffrey / Wikimedia
Remember that you can’t buy a ticket with cash on the bus and because of how they secure the drivers, hard to ask any directions at all.
This new plan has been running for 25 years in countries willing to make progress. Like Australia.