London’s rail service is infrequent, unreliable, overcrowded and expensive.
In a city with a growing population, it’s imperative Londoners have a rail network that is fit for purpose and reflective of a world-class city.
The Mayor’s Transport Strategy and Network Rail’s plans offer up a wide range of projects to improve London’s rail network. But it is unclear how all these projects will be funded and when they will actually be delivered.
The London Assembly Transport Committee report ‘Broken Rails: A rail service fit for passengers’ is published today and outlines short-term priorities that will improve train journeys for Londoners. It also challenges the Mayor, TfL and Network Rail to find new ways of working together to deliver and fund a rail network that Londoners can depend on.
The report recommendations include:
- A targeted investment plan to help deliver more frequent and longer trains on London’s rail network
- A Healthy Stations Charter informed by the Mayor’s Healthy Streets Approach
- A new approach to passenger engagement
- A single rail strategy for London
- An increase in funding for station access from DfT
Caroline Pidgeon MBE AM, Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee said;
"London’s transport system is the beating heart of the capital. The rail network is an essential part of the rhythm and movement in this city. For Londoners and visitors to get around our city our rail network has to be world-class. Currently, it is not.
“Our recommendations set out priorities including investment to allow more frequent and longer trains to run on London’s suburban rail network – a metro style service that we have long been promised; and better accessibility to stations for cyclists, pedestrians and passengers with disabilities.
“We are also calling for a rail strategy for London in order that TfL and Network Rail can ensure a sharper, joined-up focus on delivering for London’s rail passengers.
“For London’s rail network to thrive, and for passengers to get the service they deserve, we challenge the Mayor, TfL and Network Rail to deliver on the priorities set out in our report.”
Related documents
Broken rails: a rail service fit for passengers
Notes to editors
- The report ‘Broken Rails: A rail service fit for passengers’ is attached below.
- Caroline Pidgeon MBE AM, Chair of the Transport Committee, is available for interview – see contact details below.
- London Assembly Transport Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Funmi Olutoye on 020 7084 2713. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.