A recent announcement sees a £1.6 billion bailout for Transport for London to help keep bus and tube services running until September

The government has announced that Transport for London will receive emergency funding to ensure it can keep the capital moving as the restrictions relax. Since the lockdown started on 23rd March, the Metro reported tube journeys had dropped by 95% while 7000 staff were put on furlough.

Speaking to LBC, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said that TfL had lost over 90% of the fares with advertising and congestion charges down. He also added the company had £2.1 billion in reserves, but it was running out.

As people in England are returning to work, there has been concern raised over how social distancing is to be met on public transport.

It was also reported that if the bailout wasn’t approved, they would effectively gone bust and had to file a Section 114 notice. In short, this means a public organisation saying they cannot meet their operational needs.

TfL was said to welcome the emergency funding. Mike Brown, London’s Transport Commissioner, said:

“We have worked closely with the government and mayor as part of the national effort to fight the virus.”

He also added that challenges remain, and agreeing longer more sustainable funding was needed for transport in the city.

Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the TSSA transport union, told the BBC, the funding would help to ensure services did not come to a halt.

What does this mean for commuters?

Unfortunately, since the bailout was announced, so were several price increases to help plug the financial hole. The Evening Standard reported that free travel for around 1.5 million schoolchildren would be axed this summer temporarily, and people over 60 would not be able to travel free at peak times.

The congestion charge is also due to increase next month by 30% and will be enforced seven days a week. From 22nd June, the cost will go up from £11.50 to £15 a day and hours will be extended from 7am to 10pm every day of the week. The current charge is also being reintroduced on Monday 18th May, as it was temporarily waived as people were working from home and travelling very little.

The Department for Transport said the bailout would mean that TfL could increase bus and tube services “as soon as possible to ensure people can follow social distancing guidelines while on the network.”

Tweeting this morning, Sadiq Kahn said he needed to secure a deal to keep the TfL running, but the government forced Londoners to pay a heavy price for doing the right thing.

Concerns over packed public transport

The Mayor of London has asked the public to refrain from using public transport unless they really have to. Saying it must be a ‘last resort.’ Pictures emerged this week of packed buses and tubes with people finding it challenging to stick to the social distancing rules.

Face coverings have also been advised where social distancing is not possible. The mayor also said it would take a considerable effort to maintain social distancing as the restrictions are eased.

This news comes after the Foreign Secretary has said that many businesses could remain closed until the 4th of July at the earliest.