Off-peak Fridays trial begins #LetsDoFridays

The Mayor of  London has introduced a trial which begins on Friday 8 March to help TfL and rail operators to better understand if off-peak fares on a Friday could help drive ridership and boost London’s wider economic recovery. The three-month trial will run until 31 May and will be keenly watched by major cities looking to bounce back after the pandemic. The trial follows the previous announcement that the Mayor has frozen TfL fares until March 2025, further helping to support Londoners struggling with the cost of living and London’s recovery from the pandemic.

Peak pay as you go fares apply between 06:30 and 09:30 and between 16:00 and 19:00 on both TfL and National Rail services. Making pay as you go journeys on Fridays off-peak all day will make it cheaper for people to travel – potentially supporting economic growth by encouraging more people back onto public transport and into the office on a day that is currently quieter than other weekdays. The trial will also see 60+ London Oyster photocard and Older Persons’ Freedom Passes allowed to be used on TfL and National Rail services before 9am, helping Londoners with these passes to travel for free all day on Fridays.

The Mayor hopes that having off-peak fares on Fridays could help encourage more people into the city to make the most of London’s fantastic offering of bars, restaurants, live music venues and theatres. Those who choose to come into the city on Fridays will also be able to make the most of London’s world-leading nightlife, with so many fantastic events and venues to experience this year, as well as the Night Tube and Night Overground running across the weekend.

To further support the trial, TfL and London & Partners, London’s business growth and destination agency, has created a new webpage – https://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/off-peak-fridays – where Londoners can see a range of offers available on Fridays during the trial. They have also been working with Business Improvement Districts across London, and key stakeholders, to identify a range of deals to further encourage people to make the most of their Fridays.

Nicole Gordon, CEO of Better Bankside said; “This move from the Mayor of London is exactly the kind of practical initiative that is needed to incentivise a shift from the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday commuting pattern which has become the new global trend and is certainly a reality here in Bankside. Our footfall data evidences this with footfall reaching its greatest peak on Thursday and dropping off on Friday. Anecdotally, our bars have noticed a popularity for after work drinks on a Thursday which was an initial post pandemic behaviour, but one that has lasted. More affordable travel also addresses cost of living pressures. The impact of hybrid working and less spending power continued to be felt by businesses. It will be interesting to see if this initiative encourages people to adapt the days they are in which will help local businesses.”

Better Bankside is supportive of the scheme and will be working in partnership with TfL, London & Partners, and neighbouring BIDS to encourage visitors to the area. If you are a Bankside business and have a special Friday offer you would like promoted, please get in touch with Marketing Manager, Emma Charter.

Images copyright of Transport for London