A report predicts almost 20,000 extra commuters will pack on to London's public transport system when congestion charging is introduced next February.

Trains and the Tube will carry an extra 5,000 people in the morning rush hour while more than 14,000 will take the bus, according to a Transport for London (TfL) report published on Wednesday.

The change is expected next February when motorists will be charged �5 to drive into the city centre between 0700 BST and 1830 BST during the week.

But there should be "sufficient public transport" available to cope with the extra demand said TfL, the body responsible for the capital's transport system.

Congestion reduction

The increase amounts to less than one extra person per carriage on trains and the Underground.

And an extra 11,000 spaces will have been provided on rush hour buses by February, says TfL.

It estimates an increase of between 1% and 2% of people on public transport, contributing towards a 20% to 30% reduction in congestion.

The report concluded: "With respect to the readiness of public transport, TfL does not consider that there is any need to alter the start date of February 17, 2003".