TfL accused of "dragging its feet" over mobile coverage on the Tube

Tories on the London Assembly have attacked Transport for London for “dragging its feet” over introducing mobile phone coverage on the Tube.

In a report called “Calling all stations”, Assembly member Gareth Bacon demanded that London should join other European cities which have had mobile phone coverage on underground systems for over 10 years.

“TfL has been dragging its feet for too long and London is far behind in terms of mobile connectivity because of this,” he said.

“It’s time for the Tube to join the rest of the world and get mobile phone coverage. Paris and Berlin have had this technology since the late 1990s and now cities such as Moscow, Rome, Seoul, and Beijing are able to make phone calls, text, and surf the web underground, when we can’t.

“Every excuse for why London does not have mobile connectivity on the Tube is weak. TfL needs to make the kind of progress-driven deals other world cities have made.”

Recommendations of the report include:

1. Accept that mobile connectivity is not only a modern convenience, but also a requirement in top tier transport systems.
2. Seek to include this technology in any new investments.
3. Consider the benefits of mobile connectivity in the Tube beyond merely benefiting from the licensing fees from mobile operators.
4. Look to the private sector to provide a reasonable funding solution to implement mobile connectivity on the Tube as soon as possible.