Sadiq Khan launches ‘Off-Peak Fridays’ to boost London Tube usage and faces scrutiny over past donation

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has proposed an initiative named “Off-Peak Fridays” aimed at bolstering the number of passengers using the Tube and train services on Fridays. This strategy, which will be in place until May 31, seeks to incentivize travel by offering discounted fares and deals on various attractions throughout London. The initiative was introduced in response to a noticeable dip in Tube travel on Fridays, with ridership falling to 78% of pre-pandemic levels compared to 86% on Thursdays. By charging all Tube and train fares within Greater London at off-peak rates on Fridays, Mayor Khan hopes to encourage a return to public transport and, simultaneously, aid local businesses struggling with decreased footfall due to remote working practices. The scheme also includes benefits for older Londoners, granting those with a 60+ Oyster or Freedom Pass free travel during morning peak times. Despite some criticism suggesting the move is a pre-election gimmick, the collaboration between train companies and Transport for London (TfL) intends to make travel more affordable and support the sustainability of public transport.

In a separate matter, Mayor Khan faces public scrutiny following revelations he accepted a £5,000 donation in 2010 from the Tayyab family, owners of a restaurant later fined for employing illegal workers. The donation came when Khan was serving as the Labour MP for Tooting. GB News broke the story, highlighting the 2017 discovery of at least five individuals without the right to work at the Tayyab’s East End restaurant. Given the criticism from former Immigration Minister Kevin Foster MP regarding Khan’s judgment, this development stirs concerns over the ethical standards of political figures in relation to financial contributions and associations with entities found in breach of immigration laws. The Mayor’s office has yet to release a statement in response to these allegations.