Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has launched a “groundbreaking” scheme to cut Tube and train fares on Fridays.
Passengers using contactless and Oyster cards for travel in London and surrounding areas on Fridays are now charged off-peak fares.
This is aimed at encouraging more people back onto public transport and into offices on that day.
Mr Khan has allocated £24 million from his budget for the 2024/25 financial year to compensate Transport for London and train operators for revenue lost during the trial, which runs until the end of May.
The pilot applies to services run by the Tube, Elizabeth line, London Overground and mainline train operators.
Peak pay-as-you-go fares usually apply on Tube and rail services in London on weekdays between 6.30am and 9.30am, and between 4pm and 7pm.
This means someone commuting by Tube from Zone 6 in outer London into Zone 1 in the centre of the capital at peak times pays £5.60 per journey.
Under the trial, this fare has been cut to £3.60 on Fridays.
Off-peak Fridays are here!
Starting today, Tube and rail fares are off-peak all day on Fridays until May 31.
This trial is not only a boost for commuters but also our restaurants, pubs, shops and cultural venues.
Let’s make the most of our great city and #LetsDoFridays. pic.twitter.com/nWQZdg7RFV
— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) March 8, 2024
The pilot also means 60+ and Freedom Pass cards – which cannot be used before 9am on weekdays – are valid all day on Fridays.
TfL statistics show midweek ridership on the Tube is at 85% of pre-pandemic levels, but the figure for Fridays is just 73%.
It is hoped increasing the number of workers going to offices on Fridays would raise revenue for the hospitality sector through additional spending on lunches, after-work drinks and evening entertainment.
Mr Khan said: “Off-peak Fridays are here. I’m delighted that this groundbreaking trial is now up and running and that there will also be special hospitality, business and entertainment deals taking place on Fridays.
“It’s clear that many people are still not coming into the office on Fridays compared to before the pandemic, which is having a major knock-on effect on our shops, restaurants, pubs and cultural venues.
“So as well as freezing fares for another year, we’re introducing this off-peak trial to get more Londoners back to the office on Fridays and to support the hospitality, culture and retail sectors as we continue building a better more prosperous London for everyone.”
The daily pay-as-you-go price cap has been amended to an off-peak rate on Fridays during the trial.
Paper single tickets and Day Travelcards still have peak-time restrictions.
Examples of other London discounts introduced for Fridays include 20% off the bill at Gaucho restaurants, off-peak prices to see musical Wicked and half-price tickets for the Turn It Up exhibition at the Science Museum.