Mayor takes control of local rail services

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Responsibility for Wandsworth's passenger rail services transfers to TfL

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London today welcomed the transfer of responsibility for some of the capital’s passenger rail services from the Government to Transport for London (TfL).

The transfer will deliver a real transport boost to Wandsworth and those using Clapham Junction station.

The Mayor states that from 2007, passengers will see some real improvements including:

• Additional station staff to provide improved customer service, security and revenue protection;
• Oyster ticketing, including the ability to use Pay-As-You-Go;
• Extra train services, running earlier in the morning and later in the evening on all North London Railway routes to align with LUL services and provide better integration with other modes of services including tube, bus and train.

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London said "This announcement means that, from 2007, Transport for London can begin to revitalise London's overground rail services just as it has done with buses and is doing on the Tube.

“In addition to improved services, my first priority will be station safety and security, which means putting staff back into the stations where the public want to see them. Stations that are currently often understaffed or empty altogether will be staffed adequately, offering passengers a more visible and reassuring presence. Stations and trains will be improved with additional security enhancements including CCTV at stations and on trains.”

From Autumn 2007, the London rail services to be managed by TfL, collectively known as the North London Railway, are:

• The North London Line;
• The London Euston to Watford Junction local Line;
• The West London Line from Willesden Junction to Clapham Junction via Kensington Olympia;
• The Gospel Oak to Barking Line.

In the long term, TfL plans to deliver further improvements, including:

• New, higher capacity, accessible trains replacing the existing 30 year old fleet;
• A £25m station enhancement programme to bring North London Railway stations up to TfL standards;
• A service frequency improvements on all routes – with the provision of 8 trains per hour on the core route - Stratford to Willesden.

The process to appoint an operator to run the concession will start immediately and will conclude on 11 November 2007 with the start of the North London Railway operating concession by the successful bidder. Until then, the services will continue to be run by the current franchise operator, Silverlink Metro, managed and funded by the Department for Transport.

February 16, 2006