London Congestion Charge Suspended for Eight Days During Festive Period

Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed the suspension of the £15 daily charge for vehicles operating within London’s congestion charge zone, effective from Christmas Day through to the day following New Year’s Day. Additionally, public transport will not operate on 25 December, and certain sections of the network will experience either reduced or no services on Boxing Day. Bus services are scheduled to run normally on 24 December; however, night services and 24-hour routes will not extend into Christmas Day. The Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) will remain operational throughout the festive period, with the sole exception of Christmas Day. Conversely, the Low Emission Zone (LEZ), which encompasses the majority of Greater London, will maintain its regular operation, including on 25 December. Services such as Victoria Coach Station, Santander Cycles, rental e-scooters, Dial-a-Ride, and both taxi and private hire options will be accessible throughout the entire festive period, including Christmas Day. TfL has stated that on New Year’s Eve, services will run continuously overnight on all Tube lines, excluding the Waterloo and City line, as well as on trams, the Elizabeth line, the Docklands Light Railway, and the Overground. A special bus timetable will also be implemented for New Year’s Eve, featuring enhanced service on specific routes and the overnight extension of particular daytime routes. Scheduled engineering works are anticipated on National Rail services, involving closures at Liverpool Street Station from 27 December until 1 January 2025, and at Paddington Station from 27 December to 29 December. Further rail closures are planned for services from King’s Cross and St Pancras stations to Luton, affecting Thameslink and East Midlands Railway services, from 21 December to 29 December.