London-wide + Islington stories

Make bus travel easier and cheaper - the One Hour Bus Ticket campaign

Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Transport Spokesperson, was joined by Tom Brake MP, councillors and campaigners from across London this morning at the launch of a Londonwide campaign to persuade the Mayor to introduce one hour bus tickets.

At the busy Vauxhall Bus Station, bus passengers were provided with information about the new campaign and invited to sign a petition.

Caroline Pidgeon said:
“You can already switch from tube to tube on the same ticket, so it makes real sense to allow people to do the same with buses. It really is unfair that people who use Oyster pay as you go have to pay a new fare every time they change buses.

Are fares fair? - Caroline Pidgeon highlights unfairness in London fares

The extreme variation in fares for the same journey facing commuters and visitors was brought to the attention of Boris Johnson by Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Transport Spokesperson at today’s Mayor’s Question Time.

Caroline Pidgeon said:
“It is clear that Boris Johnson has no idea what travel in London actually costs, especially for visitors and tourists. The Mayor couldn’t even answer my basic question of what a One Day Travelcard costs.

Mayor urged to act over unsafe junction on Holloway Road

Islington councillors Laura Willoughby, Terry Stacy and John Gilbert presented a petition to GLA member Caroline Pidgeon this week in protest urging action to improve safety on the junction of Holloway Road, Fieldway Crescent and Madras Place. Caroline, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Transport Spokesperson, formally presented the petition to Mayor of London Boris Johnson, asking him to take action.

The petition has been signed by around 300 Islington residents and was organised by the Liberal Democrat Councillors from Highbury East ward.

After presenting the petition on Wednesday morning Caroline said:
"I am delighted to be able to support this campaign. It is absolutely necessary to make the junction safer for both cyclists and pedestrians. I have already asked two questions to the Mayor over this issue and I hope this petition really forces Boris Johnson to ensure Transport for London sort out this problem."

Caroline Pidgeon grills TfL over Dial-a-Ride

Caroline Pidgeon has been at the forefront of the examination of Dial-a-Ride's performance across London. Caroline has already asked extensive questions to the Mayor and is now ensuring further questions are raised through the London Assembly Transport Committee.

A recent Transport Committee meeting into the performance of Dial-a-Ride's service saw Caroline Pidgeon and other Transport Committee members questioning representatives from TfL, Unite and Transport for All, before giving the floor to around 30 Dial-a-Ride users who attended the meeting.

Lib Dems take the lead in supporting car clubs

Liberal Democrat councils have the best record of any political party in supporting the growth in car clubs across London.

This week Transport for London granted £1 million of funding to support the growth of car clubs across London over the next years. Less than two thirds of London boroughs actually applied for funding (19 out of 33 boroughs), yet all seven Liberal Democrat councils in London rose to the challenge and successfully secured funding for their boroughs.

Caroline ventures where Boris feared to tread

While London Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) Chair, Boris Johnson, refused to travel on the overcrowded, TfL-run, London Overground Barking–Gospel Oak rail service when invited by London Assembly Chair Jennette Arnold, Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat Vice-Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, was made of sterner stuff. She travelled with members of the Barking – Gospel Oak Line User Group (BGOLUG) on a crowded morning peak train from Barking last Friday (27th February) in order to see the overcrowded conditions for herself.

Upper Street - we're sick of sprinting!

Islington campaigners want action from Transport for London on what they say are ludicrously short crossing times at a busy Upper Street junction, where Islington Park Street and Canonbury Lane join the main road.

Last Friday, Liberal Democrat campaigner Bridget Fox brought GLA Transport Vice-Chair Caroline Pidgeon to see for herself. And Caroline has pledged her help in raising the issue.

Bridget says, “We timed the green man at just 5.2 seconds. Perhaps TfL think that crossing the road in Islington should be an Olympic event?”

Caroline Pidgeon and Norman Baker welcome King's Cross improvements

Lib Dems Caroline Pidgeon AM and Norman Baker MP visited King’s Cross station just before Christmas to hear about Network Rail’s plans for the redevelopment of the station. The Lib Dem team learnt about planned improvements to both the overground and underground stations for passengers. Caroline raised the issue of access via York Way, which has been an issue both Norman and Caroline have taken up for local residents.

No to Sunday Red Route Restrictions on Holloway Road and Upper Street

Lib Dem Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon has sent the Mayor of London over 1,000 signatures against Transport for London’s (TfL) plans to extend the red route restrictions on Holloway Road and Upper Street to Sundays. Caroline tried to present the petition at the Mayor’s Question Time on 17th December, but the Labour Chair decided to rule it out of order.

“Transport for London are planning to extend the red route restrictions to Sundays on the A1 red route with no proper consultation with local traders and residents. Local businesses are very concerned about the impact this could have on their businesses” said Caroline Pidgeon.

Mayor hits Freedom Pass holders with double whammy

Pensioners and eligible disabled people in London were today hit by a double whammy as the Mayor of London Boris Johnson revealed that not only would their 24-hour Freedom Pass not be able to be used on Network Rail trains before 9.30am, despite this being a key election promise, but that the London Boroughs face paying out millions of pounds to fund Mayor Boris Johnson's 24-hour commitment.

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