Long-term TfL funding deal can “fuel” recovery – commissioner
Transport for London’s Commissioner Andy Byford believes that a long-term funding solution for the cash-strapped network could help fuel the UK’s recovery from the Coronavirus crisis. Financial paper City AM watched a webinar in which Byford said that he was grateful to the government for £3.3 billion government grants agreed so far, but that the […]
TfL boss warns it’ll need two years of bailouts
The Commissioner of Transport for London says that it’ll require at least two years of government support, even if it cuts costs, thanks to the effect of Coronavirus and the lockdown. Andy Byford has told BBC’s Politics London that it “absolutely” will require a subsidy for the next two years. “Obviously, we will do our […]
London’s Streetspace initiative ruled unlawful
London’s Streetspace scheme has been ruled unlawful by the High Court, because it disadvantaged taxi drivers. Streetspace was designed to create more space for people to safely walk, cycle, scoot or wheel when the coronavirus crisis hit, with temporary cycle lanes and wider pavements among the changes made. However London’s financial paper City AM reports […]
TfL drops cashless plans
Transport for London has decided not to press ahead with plans to remove the cash option from all its ticket machines. It had considered it to reduce the spread of viruses in the wake of the Coronavirus crisis but London’s financial paper City AM reports that it changed its mind after lobbying. One group opposed […]
TfL faces £2bn funding hole as Boundary Charge considered
A business campaign group is warning Transport for London’s funding gap could hit £2 billion per year as travel changes following the Coronavirus crisis have dramatically reduced revenues. London First has issued a report with engineering firm Arup in which it describes the financial situation as “existential crisis”, and yet “an opportunity for transformational change.” […]
Khan considers fee to enter Greater London by car
London’s mayor is considering charging drivers £3.50 to enter London every day in an attempt to plug the capital’s finance gap. The Daily Telegraph reports that Sadiq Khan has asked Transport for London officials to investigate the feasibility of introducing the “Greater London Boundary Charge”. It means the price for entering Central London could rise […]
Crossrail employing 140 drivers – more than a year before it opens
It’s emerged that 140 train drivers are receiving salaries of more than £60,000 per year to drive trains on London’s new Crossrail line, despite it not opening for another year. Financial paper City AM says the drivers’ union ASLEF has confirmed that they’re getting £62,533 a year, with a two per cent pay rise due […]
Artistic acoustic barrier installed in East London
A first-of-its-kind barrier to cut noise pollution on a busy main road in London which the designers say turns a civil engineering project “into a memorable public artwork.” The installation, on the A12 at Bromley-by-Bow, is almost thirty metres in length, and reaches a peak height of three metres. The designers say it draws inspiration […]
Crossrail faces being “mothballed”
There’s a warning that London’s Crossrail could have to be mothballed unless there’s extra funding to allow it to be finished. Sky News reports that London transport commissioner Andy Byford has written to the permanent secretary at the Department for Transport asking for £80 million of immediate support to keep the project on track. “If […]
London bike price could cost just £1 per week
The Santander cycle scheme in London will cost commuters as little as a pound per week under a new pricing plan from Transport for London. Business paper City AM reports employers who nominate operator Cyclescheme as their work partner will see the current £90 annual cost of membership cut by 32-42%. Journeys less than 30 […]