Assembly agrees to review London TravelWatch

24 FEBRUARY 2010

The London Assembly is to set up a cross-party review of London TravelWatch[1], the official representative of transport users in the capital.

In a motion agreed unanimously today the Assembly said the review will look at the costs and procedures of London TravelWatch to ensure it is best placed to deliver value for money and serve passengers’ needs effectively over the next decade. 

Roger Evans AM, who proposed today’s motion, said:

“There is no doubt that London TravelWatch has done good work representing passengers over the last ten years.  This review will aim to help the organisation maintain and improve service standards over the next decade.  As the sponsor of London Travelwatch it is the Assembly’s duty to ensure that passengers and taxpayers can be confident their interests are being properly and efficiently represented. ”

Mike Tuffrey AM, who seconded the motion, said:

“After a decade of operation and sponsorship by the Assembly now is the right time to take a good look at how TravelWatch operates and ensure there is no needless duplication of work being carried out elsewhere. We want this review to ensure that users views are at the heart of the development of transport policy and the delivery of services.”

The full text of the motion reads as follows:

“This Assembly believes that the upcoming tenth anniversary of London TravelWatch represents an excellent opportunity for the Assembly to set up a cross-party review to look into its costs and procedures in order to ensure that it is best placed to deliver value for money and serve passengers’ needs effectively over the next ten years.

We further resolve that the Business Management and Administration Committee be delegated the setting of precise terms of reference and membership of the review panel.”

Notes for editors: 

  1. London TravelWatch is the operating name of the London Transport Users Committee established by Part IV Chapter X of the GLA Act (1999) http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1999/ukpga_19990029_en_17#pt4-ch10
  2. London TravelWatch receives funding of £1.6 million a year from the London Assembly
  3. The motion was agreed unanimously
  4. View the webcast at: http://www.london.gov.uk/who-runs-london/the-london-assembly/webcasts
  5. As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.

For more details, please contact Mark Demery in the Assembly Media Office on 020 7983 5769/4283.  For out of hours media enquiries please call 0207 983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.  Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit, Greater London Authority, on 020 7983 4100.