Free train, Tube and bus rides considered to incentivise Londoners to return to shops and offices

Millions of people could get free rides into London under bold plans to fight the slump caused by coronavirus.

Free tickets for trains, buses and the Tube are being discussed as a radical way of getting the public to see for themselves that it is safe to go back to offices and to enjoy shops, restaurants, museums and galleries.

The Evening Standard has learned that talks are under way with the Government about a scheme dubbed First Ride Free, in which members of the public who have not gone into central London since the pandemic lockdown would get a credit to go in for the day.

Supporters hope it could be as successful at getting people into the West End as Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Eat Out To Help Out was at attracting the public back to restaurants.

Nervousness about using the transport system is believed to be one of the main factors stopping people going back to work or enjoying leisure time in central London.

The scheme was drawn up by London’s new transport commissioner Andy Byford and is being discussed with the minister for London, Paul Scully.

It will require government backing to go ahead because of the financial implications for Transport for London, but the Government would like businesses to stump up a share of the costs.

Mr Scully said: “I’m looking at all options to show people rather than just tell them that there is a warm and very safe welcome waiting for them when they come back to the centre of our great city.”

A TfL spokesman confirmed that it was “one of a number of options being considered to help encourage people back into central London in the coming months.”

Business groups backed the idea and urged the Government to make the rescue of central London’s economy a priority.

John Dickie, director of policy at London First, said: “The success of the Eat Out To Help Out scheme showed the value of innovative, short-term solutions to encourage people to go to restaurants, and the same approach should be adapted by government in supporting a return to public transport.

“Targeted, publicly funded cut-price travel would encourage people to return to the city and once they’ve experienced public transport they will see for themselves the steps taken to make it safe and hygienic.”

He said that the Chancellor would benefit if it was successful. “Getting Londoners back into our central restaurants, galleries and shops now is vital to our city’s economic recovery and to the recovery of the Government’s tax base.”

Ros Morgan, chief executive of the Heart of London Business Alliance, said London needed strong government backing to overcome “unique challenges”, including the nervousness of many people to ride on public transport or travel via confined stations.

She added: “There are great ideas out there but not all are things we can do for ourselves. London has seen off bigger threats in its history. Good days can return, but to get there we need political leaders to give central London the attention that it deserves.”

Jace Tyrrell, chief executive of the New West End Company, said: “We are actively encouraging initiatives to get Londoners back into the centre. Our members are keen to shake the needles on some pretty low figures.”

A TfL spokesperson said: “This is one of a number of options that are being considered to help encourage people back into central London in the coming months.

"No final decisions have been made and any option would need to be delivered with government support, and agreed with them as part of ongoing discussions about our finances.

"More customers are now returning to public transport and we are seeing steady growth every day. We are delivering a near full Tube, bus and rail service and the network is cleaner than ever before.”

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