TfL: passenger numbers increase as businesses reopen UK News

The number of passengers using tube and bus services in London rose this morning with the easing of lockdown restrictions, first data has revealed.

TfL said that as of 10 a.m. this morning, the number of passengers making trips on the metro increased by 18% compared to last week, while bus trips increased by 15%.

There has also been a significant increase in the number of passengers using stations located near major shopping centers such as Oxford Street or Stratford.

It comes as non-essential businesses such as shops, pubs, gyms and hairdressers opened this morning for the first time since January.

The numbers will be good news for business leaders in the capital, who today launched a campaign to encourage the public to “rekindle their love of London”.

The Central London Alliance, which includes various business groups including the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, today launched the ‘London Love Affair’ campaign which aims to draw visitors to central London to boost the economy.

Central London’s economy was hit by a £ 5.4bn drop in spending by domestic tourists and commuters last year, according to City Hall estimates, with a further drop of 7.4bn of books from international tourism spending.

Richard Burge, Managing Director of the London Chamber, said: “This is an important campaign, not only for London, but also for the UK – because central London is a vital part of the economy. national and global.

“The Central London Alliance and LCCI hope the campaign will give businesses a boost, help protect central London’s unique economic and cultural ecosystem, and help encourage safe visits to central London, within the parameters government directives.

“These visits will then hopefully become return visits, and we can restore consumer confidence while ensuring safe covid compliance.”

Londoners are expected to spend around £ 500million this week as they are back in business for the first time in more than three months, according to estimates.

Despite the increase in the number of people using metro and bus services this morning, passenger numbers remain somewhat below pre-pandemic levels, with bus travel accounting for 56% of normal demand and travel by metro at 32% of normal demand.