Plans to scrap London travelcards 'discriminatory'

Travelcards can be used on TfL services including the underground, bus, tram, Docklands Light Railway and London Overground

Surrey County Council could call on the government to intervene in “discriminatory” plans to scrap day travelcards in to London.

The cards - which Surrey residents use to travel to the capital on a single ticket on Transport for London (TfL) services - could be withdrawn.

TfL said it was under-funded by the travelcard agreement at an annual cost of about £40m.

A spokesperson said there were currently no changes to tickets and that the decision remained "reversible".

A meeting will be held in Reigate on Tuesday to debate a motion from Surrey's cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and growth, Matt Furniss.

Councillor Furniss will ask the council leader to write to Sadiq Khan, as well as the transport secretary, “urging him to intervene in this matter”.

He described the proposal as "discriminatory" and called plans to remove the travelcards "unfair, unacceptable and (an) expensive levy" on residents who travel to London.

Councillor Furniss said: “The proposals have deliberately targeted the removal of the day travelcard as a method to generate additional income for TfL.

“It is anticipated by the mayor’s own consultation that the withdrawal of day travelcards will result in rail operators ceasing to sell Zone 1-6 travelcards.”

TfL said Sadiq Khan “reluctantly” agreed to give six months notice to withdraw from the travelcard agreement

A TfL spokesperson said government demands for the service to save money and “generate significant amounts of additional revenue” led to the proposals.

TfL has given six months notice to withdraw from the funding agreement for travel cards.

They added there were no changes to tickets at this time and that TfL continued to look for "alternative options”.

The TfL spokesperson said: “While this six-month notice-period is now under way, this decision remains reversible and does not therefore mean that day travelcards will be withdrawn."