Cheaper TfL phone number

TfL have added 0343 222 1234 to 0845 222 1234. The former should be cheaper to call. I have added it to my contacts so that I can call it from my mobile easily.

Of course TfL (and its predecessors) was Abbey 1234, which is identical to 222 1234 and which became 7222 1234 in the London renumbering (and change to 020 code) in 1999-2000. Given that about 1/3 of the UK population * could dial this as a local call, I'm not sure what what has been achieved by introducing an 03 number

I do suggest TfL stake their claim for 2222 1234 when it becomes available, and possibly 2221 2345.

* Calls to London from each of the 01322, 01372, 01689, 01707, 01708, 01727, 01737, 01753, 01784, 01883, 01895, 01923, 01932, 01959 and 01992 area codes were charged at local rate, as were calls from London to each of those area codes.

"New" TfL information number

TfL's website says "Get journey information in a flash by calling our new, voice-activated telephone service on 0843 222 1234" but calling 08 numbers is more expensive from most phone lines.

Say no to 0870 is a good website for finding the geographic "connect numbers" for 08 NTS (Number Translation Service) numbers

The entry for 0843 222 1234 gives two alternatives - 020 7222 1234 - TfL's main number and 020 7222 1200 - a lesser known but still long-standing number which (it says) connects through to the same place as 7222 1234 option 2. I haven't tested this.