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Tube journey won’t be free on New Yr’s Eve for the second yr working because of the coronavirus pandemic, Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed.
Earlier than COVID-19, London’s underground community has been historically free to make use of from 23:45pm till 4:30am since 2000.
Nonetheless, TfL has introduced that because of the „catastrophic impression of the pandemic“ on the community’s funds, these wishing to have a good time the New Yr within the capital should pay as they did in 2020.
Final yr’s celebrations had been restricted because of the pandemic, and this yr a ticketed occasion at Trafalgar Sq. will exchange the annual fireworks show that takes place on the Thames.
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Reacting to the announcement, Labour Mayor of London Sadiq Khan known as on the federal government to „step up“ and supply extra funds for TfL.
The present authorities bailout deal expires on 11 December and TfL are calling for £500m to maintain providers going till April plus £1.2bn over the subsequent two years for upkeep.
Mr Khan posted on social media: „I would love to have the ability to provide free journey on NYE however the actuality is that COVID decimated TfL’s funds.
„The federal government must step up and supply the extra funding TfL has wanted since fares income plummeted. Selecting to not can be catastrophic for London.“
A spokesperson for the mayor of London added: „This yr, TfL are unable to supply free journey on New Yr’s Eve because of the devastating impression the pandemic had on its funds.
„Nonetheless, providers on the community can be working all through the night time, making certain that everybody can take pleasure in what London has to supply and journey across the metropolis simply and safely.“
The free journey is often in a position to be put in place with assist of the funding of a sponsor.
The mayor has just lately warned that a whole Tube line may shut if extra funding isn’t supplied by central authorities.
Mr Khan has mentioned lack of funds may drive a „managed decline“ of providers, and that shutting one of many London Underground’s 11 traces could possibly be a „risk“ with out additional financials help.
The federal government has paid nearly £4bn to maintain TfL providers working through the coronavirus pandemic.
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