Getting back on track – the future of London’s transport

The London Assembly, the 25-member cross-party body tasked with holding the Mayor of London to account, has today written to the Deputy Mayor for Transport urging that TfL continues to focus on planning for the medium to long term so that as society begins to reopen, passengers have the confidence to travel on London’s transport network again.

As London and the rest of UK look towards recovering from the pandemic, London’s transport network will have a big part to play in supporting businesses and getting Londoners moving around the city again.

The letter from the Transport Committee highlights several areas where TfL should start focussing its efforts on including: -

• Understanding what the impact of more localised living may have on London’s transport system
• Engaging with Londoners on what they want the transport system to look like in the future
• Leading the way in changing perceptions of safety on buses and Tubes after the pandemic

Dr. Alison Moore AM, Chair of the Transport Committee, said:

“The hustle and bustle of Tube stations during the morning commute and buses packed with people on their way to start their days has stopped for many. Knowing the ins and outs of the transport system in London is part and parcel of being a Londoner, but to help stop the spread of COVID-19, Londoners have rightly been encouraged to stay away from buses, trains, and Tubes unless their journey is essential, leading to a much quieter, subdued atmosphere cross the city.

“The lifestyles that people had this time last year are now on hold and travelling around the city is one of the biggest changes that we’ve had to adjust to. It is hard to predict what life will look like in a post-COVID-19 world, including whether Londoners will continue to work from home on a large scale. However, it is key that the Mayor and TfL start to analyse and understand how travel may change, as London and the UK recover from the pandemic.”