Boris urged to back one-hour Oyster bus fare

Boris Johnson came under pressure today to introduce a one-hour bus ticket for passengers with pay-as-you-go Oyster cards.

The proposal, which would allow passengers to use more than one bus during a 60-minute period without paying more than once, would be more affordable and convenient for Londoners using public transport.

Currently, passengers must pay for each bus they board if they swap vehicles during a journey.

London Assembly members unanimously voted for a motion asking the Mayor to consider the idea. Lib-Dem member Caroline Pidgeon, who proposed the motion, said: "You can already switch from Tube to Tube on the same ticket, so it makes sense to allow people to do the same with buses.

"It is unfair that people who use Oyster pay-as-you-go have to pay a new fare every time they change buses. One-hour bus tickets already operate successfully in Paris, Rome and Brussels."

However, sources close to the Mayor said such a move was unlikely as it would be expensive to bring in.

A spokesman for the Mayor said: "A one hour bus pass has been suggested several times but has not been introduced because it would be complex and expensive to introduce and would only benefit a tiny proportion of people."