Epsom’s MP has vowed to continue fighting to get the market town into Zone 6 when the Oyster Card is introduced at its station next year.
Chris Grayling announced last week that the agreement to bring Epsom into a London zone via the Oyster Card had been written into the new franchise agreement to run the station from July next year, but that he was not sure whether Epsom would become part of Zone 6 or Zone 7.
Mr Grayling has been campaigning for the latter alongside the Epsom Guardian, which launched its Zone 6 for Epsom campaign in 2012.
Speaking to this newspaper, the MP said he will continue the fight for Zone 6.
He said: "I am going to continue the campaign for Zone 6, but the Oyster Card is a big step, as one part of what we are trying to achieve.
"I am due to have a meeting with the Department for Transport (DfT) in due course and have the conversation about Zone 6.
"The change would bring a fare cut for people in Epsom, which costs money."
Mr Grayling said Zone 7 has not been presented as the ‘preferred option’ to him by the DfT or Transport for London (TfL).
He added: "Where the Oyster Card has come out beyond the boundaries of London zones, up until now, it has sometimes been in Zone 7.
"I don’t know what the final decision is going to be on this but I will be lobbying hard to get Epsom into Zone 6.
"But everybody should be very pleased for the Oyster Card. Our efforts have paid off so far."
What do you think? Leave a comment below or email Hardeep Matharu on hmatharu@london.newsquest.co.uk.
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