Revealed: TfL told Sadiq Khan cost of freezing ALL fares would be just £132 million extra

Sadiq Khan’s claim that he was unable to freeze all fares for commuters has been cast into doubt as documents emerged showing that Transport for London suggested the move was possible.

The Mayor faced criticism when it emerged that some fares, including travelcards, would go up even though he had promised Londoners would “not pay a penny more” if he was elected.

He claimed that he had only ever meant TfL fares as the power to freeze all fares was in the hands of the Government, in agreement with the train operating companies.

However, documents released under Freedom of Information laws now show that TfL did work out the cost of freezing travelcards too.

The papers, released to the Mayorwatch website, were offered to Mr Khan’s office just days after his election although he has claimed he did not receive any fares advice.

They reveal the cost of including travelcards in the freeze would be “an additional £660 million over five years”, equivalent to £132 million per year. TfL has a £10.4 billion budget.

The Conservatives claimed Mr Khan had “serious questions” to answer over his fares freeze advice. London Assembly member Keith Prince said: “From the minute it emerged the Mayor’s fares freeze would fall well short of what he’d promised, he has consistently claimed he could do no more.

“He has repeatedly insisted he cannot freeze all fares and was adamant that he received no fares advice from TfL. The uncovering of this document proves that he was simply not telling the truth.”

A spokesman for Mr Khan said: “The Mayor has fully delivered on his pledge to freeze all TfL fares and continues to urge Government to do the same for rail fares they are responsible for in London.

“The Mayor has the power to set fares on TfL services only. Travelcards, and the associated daily and weekly caps, are set by the Government in agreement with the private train operating companies which are permitted to increase their regulated fares in line with RPI inflation.”