This reminds me of Matthew Parris' editorial in The Times a while back
(some time in early Feb 2003, IIRC), advocating free buses in London.

Didn't Ken try to introduce a very low flat fare (5 or 10p) when he was
leader of the GLC, only to get it squashed by one of the Borough Councils in
a court case?

Don't know about that one, but Sheffield certainly made their buses
free, much to the chagrin of the MP for neighbouring districts of
Derbyshire, a certain Matthew Parris.