GLC cash deal fares pegged
Page 24
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
LONDON Transport passengers will not now have to face the severe fare increases predicted for next spring. And London Transport staff will be sure of their jobs for next year at least.
This follows a deal over bus support cash agreed between the Department of Transport and the Greater London Council.
The GLC will only have £180m for next year after agreeing to cut back spending by -£39m, But the council has won a significant victory by being able to spend the money how it wishes. Some of this will now be used to peg bus and rail fares until next August.
GLC efforts will now be concentrated on obtaining continued support for 1978 and beyond, despite continued government pressure to cut spending. The GLC Leader, Sir Reginald Goodwin, said that London commuters will inevitably face a crisis because of the government's stated intention to phase out transport subsidies to local authorities.
Transport Secretary William Rogers underlined this in the House of Commons last week. "If you don't want to have increased fares, you will have to be prepared to pay more in rates and taxes," he said. "I don't want MP's to believe there is any likelihood of more funds for public transport."