TUBE passengers have to deal with the world's most complicated fare structure, according to a Transport for London boss.

Underground users must grapple with a 50 page fare guide and trawl through a myriad of peak and off-peak offers to get the best deal.

Jay Walder, TfL's managing director for finance and planning, told a meeting of the London Assembly's transport committee that his company's intricate price arrangement was the planet's most difficult to interpret.

But, Mr Walder said he believed commuters were managing to penetrate the complex guide and were getting the best deals possible.

Assembly member Roger Evans raised the subject while Mr Walder was being questioned about TfL's new five year business plan.

Mr Evans said: "The Tube has a highly confusing fare structure; different times and locations cost you different amounts.

"It looks messy from the point of view of the users and it is difficult to see an overall strategy behind it."

In response Mr Walder said: "It is by far the most complicated fare structure that exists anywhere in the world.

"I worked for many years in New York. From the day its underground opened 100 years ago it had a simple fare."

Mr Walder added: "One of the goals we have is to try to simplify it. The number of operators we have you can begin to see the complexities of that.

"We have tried to create very simple products that will respond to different markets. The fare brochure has over 50 pages.

"Economists should be proud of Londoners. They argue that consumers are rational in what they do.

"They may not have figure out the whole book but they have kind of figured out how to get rational fares for what they are doing and where they are going."

Concerns were also raised about the Oyster card system. Darren Johnson, a Green Party Assembly member said that commuters were, "Potentially being ripped off".

Mr Johnson said that "capping" should be introduced so that Oyster card holders receive the same benefits as commuters who buy travelcards for multiple journeys.

Although Mr Walder was unable to commit to a specific date he promised capping would be introduced in 2005.

London Transport Users' Committee said that although fare structures for the Tube were complicated they could benefit travelers who were prepared to uncover the best deals.

A spokesman said: "The complexity of rail fares is well established, not even the industry understands it own fares.

"We have constantly asked for a simple comprehensive guide to ensure passengers can always get the best deals.

"We constantly try to ensure that train companies provide proper information on fares and that staff are properly trained to answer questions on fares and timings."