With the economy taking one of the worst ever recorded dips since records began due to the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent national lockdown, radical plans are being considered in a bid to get money flowing again.
One plan being discussed by TFL is offering Londoners free travel on the tube, trains and buses.
According to The Evening Standard, the plan named First Ride Free is being modelled under a similar premise to Eat Out to Help Out scheme and will offer free credit to those who have not travelled into Central London since lockdown.
TFL said in a statement that this First Ride Free scheme was, “one of a number of options 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.”
London’s new Transport Commissioner, Andy Byford added, “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.”
The proposal comes after TFL controversially scrapped several concessions including free travel for children. A petition was launched to demand that this be reinstated – you can sign this here.