Portsmouth City Council has celebrated the news that the Mayor of London has withdrawn the proposal to cease the sale of one-day travelcards for people travelling into and throughout London.

The Transport for London (TfL) one-day travelcard provides travel on buses, the underground and train services in London, and are often sold in combination with rail tickets from Portsmouth, offering a saving on price, and an easy way for visitors to get around. Earlier in the year, a proposal from the Mayor of London put the future of these tickets in doubt, and plans were made to remove the tickets from sale in January 2024.

In response to this, along with neighbouring local councils, Portsmouth City Council submitted an official objection to the Mayor of London and Chair of TfL’s proposals to withdraw the one-day travelcard for rail passengers travelling in and out of London from Portsmouth. This was done to ensure the best outcome for residents and commuters.

Campaigners are delighted that TfL has struck a deal with train firms, ensuring that the controversial removal of one-day tickets won’t go ahead.

Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Cabinet Member for Traffic and Transportation, Portsmouth City Council said: “I am delighted to hear that the one-day travelcard has been saved. This great result is in part been made possible, through our successful campaign with neighbouring local authorities and will be invaluable for Portsmouth residents travelling in and around London for both for work and pleasure, it’s a real victory for public transport users”.