Sadiq Khan has announced that Transport for London (TfL) fares will be frozen this year - but City Hall Conservatives have claimed that he has only done so as an attempt to win votes before the May election.
Conservative mayoral candidate for London Susan Hall claimed the move to freeze fairs is the "last roll of the dice" for Khan, also suggesting the only way he can afford to do so is by the introduction of a pay-per-mile scheme in London.
The Mayor has repeatedly ruled out introducing such a scheme.
Sadiq Khan said the decision to freeze fairs will help to support Londoners struggling with the cost of living and London's recovery from the pandemic.
Sadiq Khan's new Transport for London fare freeze has been criticised
The Mayor is planning to allocate £123m of additional funding to TfL in order to freeze fares for a year.
In a statement, the Mayor said: "The cost-of-living crisis continues to hit Londoners hard. That’s why I’ve decided to step in again to freeze all TfL fares. Not only will this put money back in people’s pockets, making transport more affordable for millions of Londoners, but will encourage people back onto our public transport network. This will help to boost London’s culture, retail and hospitality sectors.
"While people across the country face another hike in their rail fares, I simply wasn’t prepared to stand by and see TfL customers face a similar hike.
"This is the fifth fares freeze I’ve done since becoming Mayor, making transport in our city 21 per cent cheaper than it would have been had fares risen by inflation. This shows that whenever I can freeze fares, I do so.
"As we continue building a fairer, greener and more prosperous London for everyone, making public transport more affordable and appealing will continue to be a key part of my plan.”
But Hall told GB News: "The only way Sadiq Khan can freeze fares is by bringing in his pay-per-mile scheme, which would force all drivers to pay a new tax for every mile you drive.
"This week, his team revealed he is spending up to £150 million building the technology for 2026 and he has openly admitted that he was inspired by Singapore's pay-per-mile system.
"Sadiq Khan cannot be allowed to wage war on motorists like this.
"Londoners are not going to be fooled by airy promises that come with heavy taxes later. In May, I will put a stop to his ULEZ expansion and his pay-per-mile plans."
She added: "This fares freeze is Sadiq Khan's last roll of the dice, because he knows that his eight years of failure will catch up with him this May.
“After pleading poverty throughout his Mayoralty, Sadiq Khan expects us to believe that he has miraculously conjured up this money, when the truth is we will be paying for it through increased Council Tax, his unfair ULEZ expansion and a new tax that will charge you for every mile you drive."
"Londoners deserve better than Sadiq Khan and his fake, magic money tree promises. With me as your Mayor, I will make our streets safe, put a stop to his pay-per-mile scheming, scrap his ULEZ expansion on day one, and create a better and brighter future for our city."
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But a source close to the Mayor hit back, telling GB News: "It's no surprise that the Tory candidate doesn't support freezing fares to help Londoners.
"Alongside setting out her views attacking London's diversity, she's also championed her Tory government which caused the cost-of-living crisis including soaring rents, bills and mortgages.
"The election on May 2 will be a close two-horse race between Sadiq and the Tories. That's why Sadiq is asking Londoners to lend him their vote to stop the Tories doing to London what they've done to the country."
