High inflation: UK hikes local transport fares

London: The inflation has hit the United Kingdom (UK), causing record increase in bus and train fares in London.

According to foreign media, bus and train fares in London have been increased by 5.9%, while the council tax for every house in London has also been increased to 9.7%, which will be applied from April 1.

A single bus fare will increase by 10p to £1.75, the daily cap on the buses will go up from £4.95 to £5.25 and the seven-day bus and tram pass rises from £23.30 to £24.70.

On the rails, a single Tube journey in Zone 1 will rise by 30p, the cap on Zone 1-4 weekly travel will go up by £3.50, the daily Zone 1-6 cap rises from £14.10 to £14.90, and the weekly Zone 1-6 cap goes from £70.50 to £74.50.

Explaining the rise in the precept, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: "Raising council tax is the last thing I want to do. The only reason we're considering raising council tax is because of the government's refusal to properly fund vital services in London like our police service”.

"If we don't raise council tax it means having to have fewer officers on our streets, which means the progress made on reducing violent crime could be undone."

Blaming "12 years of austerity" he also said both the fare increases and council tax rises had been "effectively been forced upon us by the government".

"What we're trying to do in City Hall is fill the massive black hole left by government cuts."