Nearly 12 years ago, Sarah Jones helped launch a campaign to move East and West Croydon from Zone 5 onto the Zone 4/5 boundary. Both stations are still in Zone 5.
Ms Jones argued that the change would cut commuting costs and help Croydon’s town centre. She was right to campaign for it. But after years of promises, she has failed to deliver it.
The political circumstances have changed. Sadiq Khan runs City Hall and TfL. Labour is in government and controls the Department for Transport. Sarah Jones is now a government minister. If she still believes in her campaign, she is in a stronger position than ever to persuade her colleagues to act.
Croydon Conservatives have written to Ms Jones asking what she has done since Labour entered government, what response she has received and when commuters can expect progress. The proposal will require TfL, the Government and rail operators to work through the details. Labour now has the opportunity to bring them together.
Councillor Alasdair Stewart, who wrote the letter, said:
“Sarah Jones campaigned on this for years. Croydon commuters are entitled to ask why, with her party now in power at City Hall and Westminster, both stations are still in Zone 5.
“We support the move to the Zone 4/5 boundary and would gladly work with her to get it done. But the time for relaunching the campaign is over. Sarah needs to deliver.”
The original proposal would allow journeys towards central London to use Zone 4 fares while retaining Zone 5 status for journeys into Croydon from farther south. It is a fairer deal worth pursuing. Croydon commuters now need to see a plan and a timetable.
