London Underground Managing Director ANDY LORD tells PHILIP SHERRATT the ambition for the tube is common fleets and signalling systems
Transport in London has always been political. But the current Covid pandemic has thrust TfL’s finances more starkly into the spotlight as a political battle has emerged between the Government and the Mayor of London. Like all public transport operators, TfL has faced a sharp decline in passenger volumes and therefore revenues, yet the need to keep services running has meant substantial financial support has been needed.
Beyond that, TfL is also grappling with the challenge of funding future projects. A number of major schemes are already committed and well underway, such as the Northern Line extension and Bank station upgrade. A document entitled ‘Investment to get London and the UK moving again’ was presented to TfL’s Finance Committee on 30 September, setting out a prioritised view of major projects the organisation would like to progress given certainty of funding, while also highlighting how much more reliant TfL is on fares income than other transport authorities in capital cities across the world.
