Track to the future: A review of rail services in London

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London’s rail services will not cope with future demand unless there is significant investment, according to our report.

Three quarters of all UK rail journeys start or end in the capital, yet our report highlights the large disparity in subsidy between the amounts London receives, compared to the rest of the country. The report says a third of rail services to London exceed the guidelines for overcrowding and this, together with passenger dissatisfaction and fares, has been rising steadily. The report calls for additional funding and investment to correct the disparity in subsidy. This should be addressed through a specific pot of funding for London from the Transport Innovation Fund (TIF). The Committee also supported business levies as an alternative means of funding rail investment.

Members of the Committee expressed concern about the consequences if the Rail 2025 programme is not fully funded. The report said it was essential that Thameslink, Crossrail and phase two of the East London Line extension to complete the orbital rail go ahead. These will be central to ensuring London continues to drive the UK economy and a high class of rail travel is delivered.

The report said that through tackling congestion at pinchpoints, large amounts of capacity can be unlocked. However, it is not just capacity that is the key to providing a first class rail network. Demand management policies need to be in place to ensure that the most efficient use is made of existing services. Modal shift has an important role to play and it is vital that governmental climate change, transport and planning strategies are properly integrated to deliver this.

The Committee made a number of further recommendations, including:

• Network Rail should publish the guidance it follows from Government on how decisions over competing service priorities are resolved
• A feasibility study should identify the best proposals - in terms of cost effectiveness - and funds should be sought
• Transport for London should examine the potential for developing joint applications for TIF with neighbouring transport authorities