The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has announced changes to the pricing schemes of public transport which will see widespread fare rises and reduced services with the outer boroughs of the city being hit the hardest.

The new fares will see a rate rise of 20% for users of single bus fares on the Oyster card. In addition, tube travel from the outer suburb of Richmond to inner-London will rise by 10p per journey to a cost of £3.80 each way during rush hour, with off peak fares rising by 20p to reach £2.40 each way.

Mayor Johnson has also reduced or discontinued the tube services in some of London’s outlying boroughs which will result in the District line service from Richmond to Kew gardens being cut.

Zones one and two for inner-London travel have not been affected by any price hikes with the cost of weekly travel passes remaining the same. However a rise in the congestion charge by 25% will mean that drivers will be paying £10 per day to reach the city centre once the western extension is discontinued at the end of 2010.

Richmond MP’s have decried the moves saying a 20% rate rise for bus fares will send more people back to their cars, defeating previous moves to limit congestion and emissions. Others have queried whether the move is merely an income generator and demanded that Johnson reveal the details of how the additional monies will be spent.

Bob Steed, executive member for Kingston suggested that the move designed to cover the cost of scrapping the western extension and Johnson’s new range of Routemaster buses. Steed claimed that those who can afford annual passes, usually higher wage earners, would not suffer as much as low-income regular bus users from his district.

In making the announcement Mr. Johnson lamented the fact that he had to do so, particularly in times of recession. Johnson said the move was an investment in London’s future and asked the city’s residents to understand and accept the decision. Johnson claimed that the new package would protect the young, elderly, poor and disabled in London who would benefit from upgraded tube lines, a move towards cycling and a range of other improvements ahead of the Olympics in 2012.