The GLC aimed to increase usage of public transport, especially in Outer London, where car use was high.
[1] Shortages of staff meant it was also necessary to speed up the rate of boarding on buses that ran without conductors, by introducing pre-purchased and inter-modal tickets.
On 4 October 1981, following the Greater London Council election, the incoming Labour administration simplified fares in Greater London by introducing four new bus fare zones and two central London Underground zones, named City and West End, where flat fares applied for the first time.
[1] In 1983, after further legal action, a third revision of fares was undertaken, and a new inter-modal Travelcard season ticket was launched covering five new numbered zones; representing an overall cut in prices of around 25%.
The inter-modal zonal fare system devised during this period continues to be used throughout Greater London and is broadly unchanged.