A new study is predicting that the number of journeys taken in London will never return to their pre-pandemic days.

The Daily Telegraph quotes a study from analysts Moody’s which says that passenger numbers will be 40% lower than pre-pandemic levels in the current fiscal year and will settle 20% lower permanently.  

Analyst Zoe Jankel told the paper, “The shift to remote working, coupled with the increased use of online leisure and retail services, will lower demand and permanently reduce fare revenues.”

The report suggests that mayor Sadiq Khan is planning a “tax raid” to make up for lost finances because cutting services or increasing fares will go against the environmental agenda.

It quotes Tony Travers from the London School of Economics as saying , “The most likely [solution] is some kind of permanent tax fix that would need to be found.”

(Picture – Highways News)