The row between the mayoral candidates over transport fares intensified today as Zac Goldsmith claimed his Labour rival would be forced to increase council tax by £175 a year for families to pay for a freeze.
The Tory hopeful said Sadiq Khan “needs to be up front” over how he would fund for his promise to freeze fares for four years — with options including bringing back the western extension of the congestion charge or scrapping planned investment in the transport network.
Mr Khan, a former transport minister, insisted his plans were fully costed at £450 million over four years and would be paid for by measures including merging engineering functions and clamping down on fare evasion.
Transport for London, however, says that Labour’s figures do not account for Crossrail bringing in extra passengers. In a briefing paper, it said the real cost would be £1.9 billion.
The Tory analysis of the figures suggests Mr Khan would have to increase City Hall’s council tax by 59 per cent — £175 a year for a typical household.
Mr Khan said: “I supported Boris Johnson’s tax cut... but Zac Goldsmith has now admitted he will charge Londoners an extra £862 in fares.”
