TRANSPORT for London has announced that there will be ‘special single fares’ on Elizabeth Line trains to London Heathrow Airport but, as the terminals will stay in Zone 6 for other purposes, Travelcards will be valid and contactless fare capping will continue to apply. Standard TfL fares will apply elsewhere on the Elizabeth Line in Zones 1 to 6. Services through central London begin in December.
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “I'm delighted to announce that the cost of travelling on the Elizabeth Line in Zones 1-6 will be the same price as a similar journey on the tube – fulfilling a key manifesto pledge to deliver truly world-class transport infrastructure which is also accessible and affordable for all Londoners."
The first step in the changeover comes in May, when TfL takes over Heathrow Connect services between Paddington and Heathrow. For the time being the existing trains will be used and the half-hourly frequency to the airport terminals will be maintained, but fares will fall slightly. The frequency between Hayes & Harlington and Paddington will be 15min.
Heathrow Airport to Ealing Broadway currently costs £8.00 using Heathrow Connect. From May, this will be £7.30 during Monday-Friday peaks and £6.00 for the rest of the time. Canary Wharf to Heathrow Airport currently costs £13.20 using the Underground and Heathrow Connect, and this will become £12.10 in the peaks and £10.10 at other times.
More frequent services on the local route to the airport can be expected when the new Class 345 Aventra units have been cleared to operate in the Heathrow tunnels. Testing has been under way for several months.
TfL said ‘the Mayor's decision to extend the TfL fare freeze to the Elizabeth Line demonstrates London's position as a global leader in infrastructure and development’, but TfL is under pressure because it is facing a reported budget shortfall of £400 million. £80 million of this has been attributed to a fall in Underground passenger totals of nearly 4 per cent, while income from commercial sources, including advertising, is also down.