London Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced a new single-fare weekend transport scheme that will allow unlimited bus and tram journeys across the capital on Saturdays and Sundays this summer. The initiative, an extension of the existing Hopper fare, will run from July 25 to August 31, enabling travelers to pay just £1.75 for unlimited trips on those days.
Details of the Weekend Hopper Fare
The Weekend Hopper fare builds on the original Hopper initiative launched in 2016, which allowed passengers to make unlimited bus and tram journeys within an hour for a single fare. The new scheme extends this benefit to entire weekend days during the summer period. Khan expressed his hope that the measure would help families cope with the cost-of-living crisis, noting that summer holidays can be particularly expensive.
Mayor's Statement
“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,” Khan said. “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.” He emphasized that buses and trams are a lifeline for many and that he aims to keep them the most accessible and affordable mode of transport.
Promotional Campaign
To promote the Weekend Hopper, three buses on routes 23, 49, and 295 across London have been wrapped with frog designs, symbolizing the “hopping” nature of the fare. London’s Transport Commissioner Andy Lord highlighted the success of the original Hopper fare over the past decade and expressed delight in offering the weekend extension to make public transport more affordable and convenient.
Industry Support
Kate Nicholls, chairwoman of UK Hospitality, stated that the Weekend Hopper will make it easier for people to experience London’s hospitality sector this summer. John Dickie, chief executive at Business LDN, added that innovation in fares is crucial to encouraging public transport use and that the weekend extension will benefit even more people during an exciting summer for the capital.
