Fare evasions

News of a 6.4 percent Tube ridership fall was revealed by Dan Milmo on Sunday. Beeb London showed Mayor Johnson being saved from having to answer that awkward question about fares rises yesterday. Simon Fletcher had already argued that the timing of the stats' release is a ploy to "soften the blow" to Boris's reputation of the imminent anticipated hike. TfL denies this and City Hall denies baling Boris out. But no one is denying that the drop in Tube revenue is making an already painful financial situation more agonising still, and that some very tough talking is going on. I've now heard from two sources that delaying the abolition of the WEZ is among the moves that have been discussed. Not only would this help make TfL's ends meet, it would take some of the heat out of the air quality row too. I'm not saying it's going to happen. I am saying don't yet rule it out.