After a trip to Paris recently, it occured to me that it would be a
good idea for the tube to offer cheap single tickets in Zone 1, along
the lines of the Paris system (maybe £1 for a single in Z1, £7 for
10).

I think the lost revenue to LU would be minimal. Are there many
Londoners who buy single Z1 tickets? I doubt it - most would have a
travelcard (one day, weekly, monthly or yearly).

The key for tourists is that it would successfully create the
impression of a cheap transport system. If you look at the prices for
the cheapest zone ticket comparing the two systems, you can see what I
mean (all in Euros) - Day Travelcard / Single / Carnet Single:

Paris 5.30 / 1.40 / 1.05
London 6.45 / 3 / 2.25

The difference with the travelcard is not that great (just over 20%),
but the singles are more than double.

The vast majority of visitors would still opt for a travelcard -
perhaps a Z1 card could be offered at about £3.50, which would be in
line with the Paris system?

Not much lost revenue for an awful lot of goodwill and improved
preception of London.

wrote to uk.transport.london on Fri, 10 Sep 2004:

After a trip to Paris recently, it occured to me that it would be a
good idea for the tube to offer cheap single tickets in Zone 1, along
the lines of the Paris system (maybe £1 for a single in Z1, £7 for
10).

The do, although not that cheap. You can buy "carnets" of 10 tickets
for something like £15.
--
"Mrs Redboots"
http://www.amsmyth.demon.co.uk/

On 10 Sep 2004 01:52:16 -0700, wrote:

After a trip to Paris recently, it occured to me that it would be a
good idea for the tube to offer cheap single tickets in Zone 1, along
the lines of the Paris system (maybe £1 for a single in Z1, £7 for
10).

[snip]
Not much lost revenue for an awful lot of goodwill and improved
preception of London.

Err we already have cheap Z1 tickets called Carnets. We already have
cheapish One Day tickets and we have not so cheap Weekly or longer
Period travelcards. If someone would like to provide LUL with Parisian
levels of fare subsidies then I'm sure something can be done. Oh and
we'd like loads of money to expand the chronically congested stations -
oh dear Alastair Darling has given Ken that money :-)

The real issue with cheapening Z1 travel is that you will exacerbate
congestion in the one part of the system where it is already at awful
levels in the peak. Therefore you lose revenue from lowering prices,
worsen congestion and make everyone travelling in Z1 worse off by
lengthening their journey time / worsening their travel experience. That
would not pass the LU business case test.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!