London Overground cash saving plan by Boris ‘pinched’ - Ken Livingstone claims

Monday, February 6, 2012
2:12 PM

The Mayor of London has asked to be handed over control of overground railways in the capital city.

Boris Johnson believes that by putting Transport for London in charge of the “totally inefficient” network, £100m could eventually be saved and disused stations brought back into service.

Transferring control would increase the number of trains running and beef up security, said Mayor Johnson

Demand for railway services is predicted to jump by more than a third by 2020, predicts City Hall.

“The fractured organisation of London’s suburban railways is totally inefficient and needs a complete overhaul,” said the Mayor.

“My vision is for one integrated suburban service operating to the standards we have demonstrated can be achieved on London Overground, which is now one of the most reliable and popular railways in the UK.”

But the plan was rapped by Labour’s rival candidate in the Mayoral race, Ken Livingstone.

His election team claimed the Mayor was stealing the idea from Labour.

“Last month Ken Livingstone announced a detailed plan to improve London’s rail services - it looks like Boris Johnson is following Ken’s lead again,” a spokeswoman said.

“Under the Tory mayor, London’s long-suffering rail passengers have been ignored as fares have risen and services have declined. “