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Transport for London is simplifying London Overground fares and introducing changes that will result in an average fare reduction of 9p. London Overground was formed last November when Transport for London took over Silverlink Metro services. The latest changes include some that were requested by passengers and others that will complete amendments made in January to reflect the the introduction of Oyster Pay As You Go on London Overground services and the move from a National Rail charging structure to Transport for London's. The new changes to fares, due to be introduced on 18 May, will make travel easier and, in many cases, cheaper. Examples include: An Off-Peak Day Travelcard from Watford High Street to Zone 1, will be reduced in price from £11.90 to £8.20; A standard single ticket from Dalston Kingsland to Stratford will be reduced in price from £2.00 to £1.50. A standard day return from Brondesbury Park to Kensington Olympia will be reduced in price from £6 to £3. A standard day return from Kew Gardens to Highbury will fall from £8 to £6. An Off-Peak Day Travelcard from Bushey to Zone 1 will be reduced from £11 to £8.20 Many of the remaining Cheap Day Returns have been withdrawn to provide a simpler range of fares where Oyster offers the best value option. However customers requested that a small number of Cheap Day Returns be available to and from Richmond and these will continue. A small number of increases will be required on some routes but ninety seven per cent of journeys will see neither an increase or decrease and passengers will continue to pay their usual fare. Shashi Verma, Transport for London's Director of Fares and Ticketing, said: "Our priority is to provide a simple fares structure and offer the best value possible. And the simple-to-understand fares policy on London Overground, along with the introduction of the full range of Oyster ticketing, has been widely appreciated by passengers. "It makes sense that we now deliver an even-handed package of changes to remove a small number of inconsistencies that are a legacy from National Rail fare policy and reflect the introduction of Oyster Pay as You Go on Overground services. We have listened to requests made by our passengers and as a result we will introduce some new fares and restore first class fares on a number of journeys where this accommodation is available." As well as changes to single fares, Travelcard prices from Watford Junction, Watford High Street, Carpenders Park and Bushey are being changed to match prices for Travelcards issued elsewhere to Zones 7, 8, 9 and Watford Junction. Family Travelcards will cease to be available at Watford High Street, Bushey or Carpenders Park. These tickets, already withdrawn at other Transport for London ticketing outlets, are now effectively redundant given the availability of free travel for accompanied Under-11s and the price discounts available with Oyster fares. Transport for London could not achieve its objective of standardising the fares without raising some of them. However, there are no increases at all to Oyster pay as you go fares. Where fares are increasing, customers are strongly advised to enquire whether Oyster fares will offer a cheaper alternative. London Overground services will also operate on the extended East London railway when it opens in 2010, following TfL's £1bn extension of the East London line. Courtesy of: www.tfl.gov.uk |
