Substantial parts of Govia Thameslink Railway should transfer to Transport for London, according to the capital’s new Deputy Mayor for Transport Heidi Alexander.
She said poor performance risks causing London economic damage if it continues.
Alexander was delivering her first major speech in her new role, on July 4, the same day Mayor of London Sadiq Khan wrote to Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling demanding talks begin regarding a transfer of many key London routes to TfL from 2020.
Khan wants the London Metro services operated by Southern and Great Northern to be transferred to TfL. These routes include Moorgate-Enfield/Stevenage and Welwyn Garden City, as well as trains from London Bridge/London Victoria-Sutton and Croydon.
Alexander said that in the week before her speech, GTR passengers had seen 14% of peak-time trains cancelled, and 39% running late passing London Bridge.
She said: “The success of London Overground and the continued reliability of TfL Rail provide an overwhelming business case to support the Mayor’s devolution plans, which would also lead to simpler fares for passengers.”
Alexander didn’t mention that recent National Rail Passenger Survey results from Transport Focus have Southern and TfL Rail in joint last with a 69% passenger satisfaction rating (RAIL 856). LO is also seven months late in delivering Class 710 Aventras for the Gospel Oak-Barking and London Euston-Watford Junction routes (RAIL 856).
- For the FULL story, read RAIL 857, published on July 18, and available digitally from July 14 on Android/iPad
AndrewJG8918 - 10/07/2018 11:01
If TfL are to take over some of the suburban lines and services that are currently operated by Great Northern, Southern, Southeastern and South Western Railway. They probably would do it in 3 phases. Phase 1: Suburban lines operated on Great Northern to be taken over by TfL including services from Moorgate and King’s Cross to Hertford North, Welwyn Garden City, Knenworth, Stevenage, Hatfield and Watton-on-Stone. Phase 2: Suburban lines operated on Southeastern and Southern to be taken over by TfL including services operating from London Charing Cross, London Cannon Street, London Victoria, Blackfriars and London Bridge to Dartford, Bromley North, Bromley South, Charlton, Abbey Wood, Greenwich, Hayes, Lewisham, New Cross Gate, East Croydon, Caterham, Tatternham Corner, Redhill, Wimbledon, Sutton and Epsom Downs. And possibly extend to as far as Gatwick Airport aswell other suburban lines that hasn’t been mentioned that could be taken over by TfL. Phase 3: Suburban lines operated on South Western Railway to be taken over by TfL including services from London Waterloo operating to Chessington South, Hampton Court, Weybridge, Wimbledon, Richmond, Brentford, Guildford, Woking, Dorking and possibly extended to Windsor & Eton Riverside. And other suburban lines that hasn’t been mentioned that could be taken over by TfL.