Hopper Fare

About the city. London residents often have to commute to work, changing kinds of transport. This is inconvenient and expensive.

Goal

The main aim is to afford to travel around London city for people on low incomes. As the Mayor said “the cost of travel must never become a barrier to work or study”.

Implementation period. The project launched in September 2016.

Fact

By agreeing a “Low Emissions Bus Zone” and only buying hybrid or zero-emission double-decker buses from 2018, the Mayor and TfL will reduce vehicle emissions even further.

Solutions

What is the Hopper?

Any second bus or tram journey made within one hour of the start of your first journey will be free, if you’re using contactless or Oyster pay-as-you-go.

What is the key idea?

Two journeys for the price of one – on buses and trams – within one hour. People save £1.50 when they take two bus journeys within one hour on a standard adult ticket.

How the Hopper works:

• The Hopper fare applies automatically to passengers who are using contactless or Oyster pay-as-you-go.

• Passengers can switch between buses and trams in any combination, within an hour.

Challenges

What is going on if you have a negative balance?

If your Oyster card has a negative balance after your first journey, the Hopper fare won’t apply. You’ll need to top up your card within one hour of touching in to be eligible.

Team

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, launched his one-hour bus fare – the Hopper. Transport for London (TfL)

Timeline

From 2018, passengers are able to make unlimited bus and tram journeys within one hour – once Transport for London (TfL) has upgraded its ticketing technology. 368 million Hopper journeys have been made since its launch, more than 450,000 ‘Hops’ now being made each day.

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