TRANSPORT FOR London has confirmed Elizabeth Line pay as you go fares within Zones 1-6 will be the same as for existing TfL services. From May, when TfL takes over the Heathrow Connect service, some fares on this route will reduce compared to current levels and the service will come within daily and weekly TfL price caps. The Mayor of London’s office says the move extends the benefit of TfL’s fares freeze to Elizabeth Line passengers.
TfL is to take over the Heathrow Connect service on 20 May, when national timetables change. From this point, standard zonal fares will apply as far as Hayes & Harlington with special single fares for journeys to Heathrow. For example, the current fare to Heathrow from Zone 1 stations using the Connect service is £12.70, but this will reduce to £12.10 at peak times and £10.10 off-peak.
For price cap and travelcard purposes Heathrow will be placed in Zone 6, meaning the daily cap of £12.50 will apply for passengers using pay as you go. All concessions offering free or discounted travel will also be valid on the Connect service and throughout the Elizabeth Line. Services west of Paddington to Heathrow and Reading will start operating through the central London tunnels to Abbey Wood and Shenfield in December 2019.
Heathrow Express services will continue to charge current fares but pay as you go with Oyster and contactless payment is planned to be introduced later this year; ticket gates are to be installed at the three airport stations and on the Heathrow Express platforms at Paddington.
