In December 2025, the Mayor of London announced that tube fares would rise by an average 5.8% in London, starting in March 2026. On the other hand, bus fares will remain capped at £1.75. This article in the Standard explains that he has made a deal with the national Labour Government, binding him to an above-inflation increase in tube fares every year until 2030. In exchange, the Government will give £2.2bn to the Mayor for capital spending projects.

Fare Free London is quoted in this article in the Metro, saying “Government policy is damaging public transport and serving corporate interests, by committing billions to unneeded road projects like the Lower Thames Crossing, and to the climate-trashing Gatwick airport expansion.”

Meanwhile, National Rail fares are being frozen, and the fuel duty price rise is being delayed until September by the Chancellor. Savings for motorists are around £49 as a result of the delay – meanwhile, non-motorists are quoted as spending £120 per month on bus travel, with no end in sight.

The Bus Services Act was passed in October 2025. It gives local authorities wider powers to regulate bus services, and they can now include a measure of public ownership – that could help reduce fares. See this analysis from our friends at Campaign for Better Transport.

Finally, a new survey shows that many Londoners would get out of their cars and use public transport if fares were cut. This story in MyLondon quotes Fare Free London, saying that abolishing fares would “help us to move away from a car-centred transport system”.

Published: 12 January 2026.