The London Assembly agreed a motion [1] today urging the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) to develop and adopt a ‘Passengers Charter’ which clearly sets out the minimum service level passengers can expect to receive from TfL.
Concerns were raised by the Assembly that Londoners and visitors have not been given the opportunity to comment on proposals to close all Tube Ticket Offices and reduce station staffing levels by 950 posts, particularly as 19 per cent of tickets are currently sold via ticket offices.
The Assembly welcomed the fact that this week’s strikes on London Underground were called off and are pleased that the RMT and TSSA Unions and TfL are talking through issues and attempting to resolve the dispute amicably.
However, the Assembly urged the Mayor to reflect on his proposals and instruct TfL to conduct a full public consultation on the Fit for the Future programme. This should include producing a plan for each station affected, including details on staffing provision and how services will change, to ensure all Tube users - including tourists, the elderly and vulnerable – will not be negatively affected by the proposed transport changes.
Val Shawcross AM who proposed the motion, said:
“London’s passengers should not be cut out of the debate on ticket offices and staffing reductions and it is wrong of TfL to think it is simply a conversation between them and the Unions.
“It’s the consumer and democratic right of Londoners to have a say about transport changes that will directly affect them, which is why we believe there should be a station by station consultation with input from the public.
Caroline Pidgeon AM, who seconded the motion, said:
“There has been a lot of misinformation from both sides about this issue and as it is a public service there should be a proper public consultation on the matter.
The full text of the motion agreed at today’s meeting reads as follows:
This Assembly welcomes the announcement this week’s strikes on the London Underground have been called off. This Assembly also welcomes the RMT and TSSA Unions and TfL talking through issues and attempting to resolve this dispute amicably.
This Assembly supports proposals to operate the Underground on some lines at night on Fridays and Saturdays. However, this Assembly is concerned that people across London are not being given the opportunity to comment on proposals to close all Tube Ticket Offices and reduce station staffing levels by 950 posts. There are some interesting ideas in TfL’s plans and modernisation is needed, but Londoners should be given the chance to have their say and improve them. This Assembly wishes to ensure that all Tube users - including tourists, the elderly and vulnerable – will not be negatively affected by these changes. We believe that the Mayor and Transport for London should develop and adopt a ‘Passengers Charter’ which clearly sets out the minimum service level they can expect to receive from TfL.
This Assembly believes the Mayor should reflect on his proposals and that he must instruct Transport for London to conduct a full public consultation on the Fit for the Future programme. This should include producing a plan for each station affected, including details of what the staffing provision there will be and how services will change.
Notes to editors
- The motion was agreed 15 for and 9 against during the Plenary at City Hall today.
- Val Shawcross Assembly Member is available for interview. See contact details below.
- 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 Alice Andrewartha in the Assembly Media Office on 020 7983 4603. For out-of-hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 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.