Large employers could be encouraged to stagger their working hours to reduce rush-hour congestion on the roads and public transport network.
Transport for London (TfL) has produced a 20-year policy vision, called Transport 2025, aimed at keeping Londoners moving in the face of a huge growth in population and commuting.
It has predicted that almost one million extra jobs and the growth in population from 7.4 million to 8.3 million will result in a 30% increase in the number of kilometres travelled by commuters using public transport in the morning rush-hour by 2025.
The transport authority is determined to change Londoners’ behaviour, offering “positive incentives” for them to go to work at different times, use different forms of transport and walk or cycle to work more often.
The strategy document highlights measures such as workplace travel plans aimed at encouraging staff at particular companies to change their commuting habits.
It said: “Tools used include campaigns to encourage mode shift and the staggering of work hours to reduce car trips or help to shift some demand for public transport away from the busiest periods.
“Targeting the biggest 10% of employers in London would cover 70% of all employees.”
Higher rush-hour fares for the most congested public transport routes could also be an option.
Peter Hendy, TfL commissioner, said: “We need to pull every lever that we have got in the control box. We’re not just saying let’s do the old predict and provide. Part of the solution is to get people to do what they do now more intelligently.”
The paper has now been passed for consultation among stakeholder groups such as the TUC, CBI and passenger groups.
