Hopper Fare Marks Milestone Amid Bus Service Adjustments
London's unlimited bus and tram transfer scheme has facilitated over 1.4 billion free journeys since 2016.
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London's Hopper bus fare has facilitated more than 1.4 billion free bus and tram changes since its introduction on September 12, 2016. The fare allows passengers using Oyster or contactless payment to make additional bus and tram journeys without further charge, provided they touch in within an hour of their initial journey.
Initially permitting one free transfer, the scheme was expanded in January 2018 to allow unlimited bus and tram journeys within the hour. During its first year, over 100 million free changes were recorded, with the total now exceeding 1.43 billion.
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Service Adjustments and Fare Benefits
The milestone for the Hopper fare coincides with Transport for London's (TfL) ongoing adjustments to the bus network. Forty bus routes are scheduled to have their frequencies reduced between April 2024 and March 2026. TfL stated that frequencies were increased on 71 routes during the same period. The transport body is also undertaking junction improvements and technological upgrades at traffic signals to address traffic speed issues affecting bus services. Approximately 500 bus-priority traffic signal timing reviews are in progress, with 135 traffic signal schemes planned for delivery across London by the end of March 2027.
City Hall recently implemented a temporary extension of the Hopper principle for weekends. This offer, available on Saturdays, Sundays, and the August bank holiday, allowed unlimited bus and tram travel for £1.75. TfL reported that 6.8 million passengers utilized this weekend offer over its eight-week duration, collectively saving an estimated £15 million.
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Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, commented that the permanent Hopper fare has contributed to making bus travel more straightforward, affordable, and equitable, particularly for those whose commutes involve changing buses. London's bus network remains the capital's primary public transport method, serving over five million passengers daily, with 96 per cent of households situated within 400 metres of a bus stop, according to TfL.
Questions this report answers
+How many free bus and tram journeys has the Hopper fare enabled?
Since its introduction on September 12, 2016, London's Hopper bus fare has facilitated over 1.4 billion free bus and tram changes. This allows passengers to make unlimited additional journeys within an hour of their first trip.
+Are any bus routes experiencing reduced service frequency?
Yes, forty bus routes are scheduled to have their frequencies reduced between April 2024 and March 2026. TfL stated that frequencies were increased on 71 routes during the same period.
+What was the cost of the temporary weekend Hopper offer?
During an eight-week period, City Hall extended the Hopper principle to weekends, allowing unlimited bus and tram travel for £1.75. This offer was used by 6.8 million passengers.
WE FILE
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The London Travel Desk assembled this report from the outlets listed below. Language-model drafting is reviewed under human editorial supervision, with scoring notes and corrections kept visible.
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