UK
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London announces new Weekend Hopper fare: Millions of Londoners are set to benefit from cheaper bus journeys this summer, as the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announces the extension of his popular Hopper fare at weekends.
The new Weekend Hopper offer means, for the first time ever, anyone travelling on buses and trams at the weekend on a Saturday or a Sunday between 25 July and 31 August will only pay one single fare for unlimited journeys across London that day – making it easier for Londoners and visitors to make the most of everything the capital has to offer during the summer holidays.
Earlier this year, the Mayor froze bus and tram fares for the seventh time since 2016 – keeping them among the lowest in the UK, at just £1.75 – showing his continued commitment to doing everything in his power to keep TfL fares as affordable as possible. The Mayor is now exploring available options for bus and tram fares following the current freeze, with the intention of extending it throughout the summer to make the Weekend Hopper an even better deal for Londoners.
Sadiq introduced the Hopper when he took office in 2016, which enables people to pay a single fare for unlimited journeys within an hour on London’s buses and trams. In the decade since, TfL customers have made more than a billion Hopper journeys, meaning anyone making just two hops a week over that time cumulatively saved £1,500. Sadiq is also committed to ensuring that, for as long as he is Mayor, children under 18 can travel for free on London buses and trams.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “During 10 years as Mayor, I’ve been committed to keeping public transport as affordable as possible. This has included freezing bus and tram fares a record seven times. I am determined to continue to help Londoners with the cost-of-living crisis. My Hopper fare has enabled millions of people to enjoy cheaper bus travel. I know how expensive the summer holidays can be for families and my new Weekend Hopper – which is a whopper of a deal – will make it cheaper and easier for Londoners and visitors to enjoy all that our great city has to offer this summer.”
Part of the Mayor’s ongoing work to improve public transport and support Londoners with the cost of living, the new Weekend Hopper will mean that people will be able to travel across the city on buses and trams for the whole day on Saturdays and Sundays for the price of just a single fare. This innovative fare will run for six weekends throughout the school summer holidays, from 25 July to the end of August – including the Bank Holiday Monday, when millions travel across the capital to enjoy Notting Hill Carnival.
London’s Transport Commissioner, Andy Lord, said: “London’s buses and trams are vitally important to helping people all across London get around and visit friends, family, and the vast number of amazing places and events the city has to offer.
To help raise awareness of the Weekend Hopper offer, three buses on routes 23, 49 and 295 have been wrapped as hopping frogs, with Londoners and visitors encouraged to see if they can spot them all as they travel around the capital over the summer. These three routes offer TfL customers the chance to visit landmarks including world-class museums, the Royal Albert Hall, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square – as well as connecting with a range of other routes, including London’s growing Superloop network, making it easier to travel across the city to visit family and friends.
Laura Citron, CEO of Visit London, said: “London is set for an incredible summer with world-class events, outdoor culture, live music, exhibitions, theatre and neighbourhood experiences taking place across the capital.”
The Weekend Hopper will help Londoners enjoy an unforgettable summer, with an exceptional programme of events and experiences across the capital. There is something for everyone, from major sporting moments like the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and the Novuna London Athletics Meet, to landmark live music including Harry Styles’ record‑breaking 12 nights at Wembley Stadium as well as performances by Olivia Dean and Ariana Grande at The O2 Arena. London’s world‑class museums, theatres and galleries are also hosting a fantastic array of exhibitions, such as V&A East’s inaugural show ‘The Music is Black’, Lucian Freud’s ‘Drawing into Painting’ at the National Portrait Gallery and the Zurbarán exhibition at the National Gallery. Theatre‑goers can enjoy a standout season too, with The Devil Wears Prada at the Dominion Theatre, Hercules at Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.
Bernard Donoghue, Director at ALVA – The Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, said: I’m sure this will prompt more of us to discover the London beyond our neighbourhood and find new favourite places, destinations, attractions and green spaces.”
The return of the Mayor’s £400,000 Summer Streets fund aims to create the biggest ever summer of al fresco dining in the capital, as bold plans move forward to transform Oxford Street into a pedestrian plaza that can host world-class events and leisure experiences. The Weekend Hopper fare will make it even easier to enjoy everything London has to offer in the coming months. For example, a family of two adults and two under-16s making three or more bus journeys in a day could save up to £7 a day or £14 over a weekend.
Kate Nicholls, Chair of UK Hospitality, said: “London has something for everyone, from our iconic pubs and restaurants to world-renowned theatres and festivals, and affordable transport is so important for Londoners and visitors alike.”
Buses are the most inclusive form of public transport in London, with 96 per cent of households within 400 metres of a bus stop and more than 90 per cent served by high-frequency routes. Buses and trams also offer the most accessible and affordable way to travel sustainably in the capital, with fares among the lowest in the UK and all bus routes served by low-floor vehicles with a dedicated wheelchair space, providing a vital lifeline for vulnerable Londoners and lower income households.
Michelle Walker, London Area Director at Arts Council England, said: “The Weekend Hopper fare is a great initiative that will open up London’s extraordinary cultural life to even more residents and visitors.”
David Hamilton, Executive Director at the British Film Institute, said: “There’s nothing quite like a brilliant day out in London, and cheaper weekend travel makes it easier for more people to get out and enjoy the city.”
Sandra Botterell, Executive Director at Kew, said: “We really welcome the Weekend Hopper ticket initiative, which will hugely help Londoners to explore our wonderful city and enjoy days out at our incredible visitor attractions.”
Sarah Saunders, Assistant Director at London Museum, said: “We have a number of buses that stop near us in Docklands, and I hope this will give new and returning visitors an opportunity to drop in over the summer.”
John Dickie, Chief Executive at Business LDN, said: “It’s really positive to see the Mayor making it even easier for Londoners and visitors to explore everything the city has to offer by bus or tram.”
Dee Corsi, CEO of New West End Company, said: “The Mayor’s Weekend Hopper Fare initiative will make the West End even more accessible, enabling Londoners and visitors alike to press play on an unforgettable London summer.”
Dan Feeney, Director at South Ken Culture Quarter, said: “The Weekend Hopper will open London up even further, giving more people the ability to access the culture and heritage that is on their doorstep within our great city.”
Nic Durston, CEO of South Bank Business Improvement District, said: “This summer is a big moment for South Bank as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Festival of Britain – with incredible anniversary programming at Southbank Centre.”
