TFL is setting up to take over some of the commuter routes in and out of London. Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan is preparing a government takeover of Southern, Southeastern, and Southwest rail systems. He agrees, as many of the passengers on those lines, that it is time to step in if they cannot fulfill their basic obligations.
Before we talk about the plan, it must be mentioned that these lines have experienced severe delays, don’t run very often, and there is no discernable improvement in service or amenities.
As the contracts for these lines come to an end, Transport for London will take over and they will revamp the schedule and improve frequency and reliability for passengers on those lines. The stations affected will be: Cannon Street, Charing Cross, Moorgate, Victoria, Waterloo and London Bridge. TFL will take over commuter services from here as these are the stations that have suffered the most severe delays.
According to Mayor Khan, it is an embarrassment to the city of London that their rail system is so unreliable, particularly in the south where so many that come into London proper depend heavily on over ground services. Mayor Sadiq intends to submit his business plan ahead of the Autumn Statement, outlining the benefits and savings for millions of Londoners.
And to quote the mayor, “As our new FL map demonstrates, devolution will help us deliver a truly integrated transport network where rail passengers get the same standard of service and reliability they get on the Tube, allowing people to connect quickly with all parts of inner and outer London.”
Well, it sounds like it will be lovely. Of course the final stages won’t be complete until 2021, but compared to now, it will be worth the wait.
