Liberal Democrat Mayoral candidate Rob Blackie pledged to end Sadiq Khan’s bus cuts as he launched his transport policy today.
Blackie outlined measures to restore reliability and frequency to the capital’s commuters, while allowing new lines and services to be added.
Blackie launched his transport policy at a stop on the 450 bus route in Crystal Palace to illustrate how local campaigners were fighting cuts to such vital links. He was joined by the leader of Croydon Lib Dems, Councillor Claire Bonham, who has headed a local campaign against cuts to the 450 route.
He also criticised the deterioration of London’s transport network under Sadiq Khan, citing:
- Bus services cut by 22 million miles
- Millions of pounds in lost fares from the Elizabeth Line opening late
- Up to £1 billion lost from public transport due to Khan’s phoney fares freeze gimmicks
In contrast, he pledged:
- An end to bus cuts
- A new vision for Outer London transport
- Improved tube maintenance and accessibility
Blackie said he would deliver this by facilitating a long-term funding settlement with national government and securing fair wages for transportation workers to end the long-running strikes.
His financial strategy would prioritise funding stability, increase borrowing capacity and provide new tube and train lines, particularly in Outer London, he said.
Under Khan’s management, Blackie said that Transport for London had suffered substantial financial setbacks, including £640 million lost from the 2016 fares freeze, in addition to up to £400m from his current fares freeze if he carries it on beyond election year, and millions in revenue losses due to the delayed opening of the Elizabeth Line.
Rob Blackie said, “London should have the greatest transport system in the world, but for too many it has become unreliable.
“After eight years with Sadiq Khan in charge, bus services have been cut, tubes are breaking down more, and there’s no hope for the extensions to the network that he promised.
“As Liberal Democrat Mayor, I will get London moving again. I will bring an end to bus cuts, and focus on investment in new tube, train and tram lines Outer London.
“I will earn a long-term funding settlement with the government by prioritising financial stability at Transport for London and ditching costly election gimmicks. That will mean more investment in maintenance for reliability and accessibility too.”
Leave a Comment