Only Boris 'bothered' to call Transport Secretary over commuter trains takeover (From News Shopper)
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Only Boris Johnson 'bothered' to call Transport Secretary over commuter trains takeover
7:00am Thursday 3rd May 2012 in Bromley By Leila Haddou
Boris Johnson promises to introduce a 'turn up and go' system on the Southeastern train network, with four trains every hour during the week
DESPITE most London mayoral candidates promising to lobby for control of the capital’s suburban railways if elected, only Boris Johnson has “bothered” to contact the Transport Secretary, according to her department.
Mr Johnson, the Conservative candidate, along with Labour's Ken Livingstone and Brian Paddick from the Lib Dems, say they would like to see train companies such as Southeastern integrated into Transport for London should they win today’s election to be London mayor.
Yet the Department for Transport has revealed to News Shopper that only Mr Johnson has actually called Transport Secretary, Justine Greening, to discuss the proposals.
A source said: "Of course, Justine will work hard for London whoever is mayor, but she’s been amazed that not one of the other main candidates has bothered to pick up the phone to discuss their transport plans with her. How can you get a good deal for Londoners if you’re not talking to all the key decision makers?
“The relationship between the mayor and Transport Secretary matters massively to getting the best deal for London transport.”
Mr Johnson has said London’s suburban railways need a complete overhaul, and if successful the devolution of the Southeastern franchise would happen in 2014, when its contract is up for renewal.
He claims it would save millions of pounds and give passengers more reliable and frequent services, introducing a ‘turn-up-and-go’ system with at least four trains per hour throughout the week.
But Mr Livingstone, his main rival, insists that he initiated these proposals: “The Tories are finally saying they might give Londoners control of their railways - something I’d agreed four years ago with a Labour government.”
A spokesman for Mr Paddick said he had already raised the matter with the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.
Mr Paddick has also criticised Mr Johnson saying that he has wasted time on “vanity projects” instead of acting on this before.
He does however support the move, saying: “With so many train franchises approaching the end of their contracts there is now a great opportunity to ensure a better deal for train users.
“At the very least we must ensure that franchises are jointly awarded by the mayor and the Government.”
Meanwhile Jenny Jones, candidate for the Green Party, said: “It makes sense for commuter rail services to come under the remit of Transport for London in order to ensure that transport in and around the capital works well together and by voting Green in Thursday’s Assembly elections London can help ensure that transport is tackled strategically and fares are kept low.”
Comments(17)
the wall
says...
9:39am Thu 3 May 12
Outandabout
says...
11:47am Thu 3 May 12
This story already has a flashing Boris advert. The NS is clearly breaching electoral legislation with its coverage.
Thanks Boris for cutting back the Police and then realising how stupid a decision it was so you then had to take money from the Fire Service reserves. Thank you for privatising the London Fire Brigade so that they no longer own ANY of their equipment or uniform so that when Asset Co nearly went bust the brigade came close to havinbg no uniform or equipment because creditors would force a sale of their property. Thank you for privitising the emergency fire brigade control so that Capita now run the London Fire Service emeregency call centre. Not Boris again. he can't be trusted.
Guess who ;) AGAIN !
says...
11:55am Thu 3 May 12
ROFL.
commenting scoffer
says...
12:15pm Thu 3 May 12
Guess who ;) AGAIN ! wrote:...still getting depressed... 'tom' rofl!! :)
No mention of Carlos/Manuel the also ran. ROFL.
miss sweethuney
says...
12:30pm Thu 3 May 12
Orp Boy
says...
12:32pm Thu 3 May 12
How is Tower Hamlets Ken ?
Orp Boy
says...
1:23pm Thu 3 May 12
C.Rodders.Jefferson
says...
1:53am Fri 4 May 12
Benidorm ear I come wiv all the dollar boys. They all think I spent it on the printing, no way mates its in me bin. ROFL !!
The Real Gypo
says...
10:14am Fri 4 May 12
Tusstastic
says...
10:32am Fri 4 May 12
Guess who ;) AGAIN !
says...
10:53am Fri 4 May 12
( Karls word not really mine )
My my we are all twitter and bisted today.......wot went wrong yesteday. LOL
Loosers !!
The Real Gypo
says...
9:43am Sat 5 May 12
Guess who ;) AGAIN ! wrote:Come on Tom get those match sticks out ya eyes ya ugly and old enough without ya eyes balooning up like that ! LOL ;)
Tusstastic, how nice of you to drop in. Plop !! ( Karls word not really mine ) My my we are all twitter and bisted today.......wot went wrong yesteday. LOL Loosers !!
Guess who ;) AGAIN !
says...
10:42am Sat 5 May 12
ROFL !!!
I'm Spartacus, Erastus, Gypo, L & L, Lets Agree, Tommy Boy. etc etc etc.
Slonik
says...
4:30pm Sat 5 May 12
briancooke104
says...
6:28am Mon 7 May 12
Slonik wrote:Totally disagree with your final bit Slonik. Not nice knowing him at all a very evil dishonest man. But bye bye Ken. London has told you twice it doesn't want you. Go away and play with you newts and leave us alone.
Goodbye Ken - it wasn't nice knowing you!
Slonik
says...
9:22pm Mon 7 May 12
I had the good fortune to bump into some of his cohorts recently (including NDG), whining on about what a clown Boris is. Wonder how they feel about being beaten by such a 'clown' twice now? Doesn't say much about their judgement or policies does it... :D
goldenbroomboy says...
9:00am Thu 3 May 12
And if the NS editor wants to campaign for Boris (as has been obvious over the past few months), then at least do the decent thing and do so openly in an editorial, rather than by means of all these laughably biased "articles".