TfL and unions must both put passengers first

Caroline Pidgeon has backed a recent House of Commosn motion tabled by Martin Horwood MP, the co-chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Committee on Transport, denouncing the recent tube strikes and highlighting the inconvenience suffered by commuters. Martin has criticised both the unions and the Mayor of London’s office for not doing enough to reach an agreement between all parties, and encouraged the Mayor of London to bring the current talks to a settlement.

The text of the motion reads:

That this House believes the current London Underground industrial action should not be taking place, and both London Underground and the unions are guilty of failing to put passengers and London’s economy first; also notes that the savage reduction of office opening hours at 90% of ticket offices on the Tube network will inconvenience many passengers, especially disabled people and visitors to London; calls upon the Mayor of London to show leadership and prevent further strikes by facilitating both London Underground and the unions to reach a solution that puts passengers, businesses and visitors first.

Martin Horwood commented: “It is crucial that both sides come to a swift and amicable resolution to this situation before the next round of proposed strikes.

“Both groups should put their passengers first.

“The economic impact of the last two strikes, the repercussions of absenteeism and lost tourist revenue, runs into the millions. I urge both sides to return to the negotiating table, we need to find a suitable solution that satisfies all parties.”

Caroline Pidgeon, the Vice Chair of the Transport Committee and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group in the London Assembly, commented:
"There are legitimate concerns about TfL's plans to slash the opening hours at so many ticket offices across the Tube network, but taking strike action is not the way forward. The unions are running the risk of losing all public sympathy on this issue.

"The unions should halt their strike action and London Underground should acknowledge the real concern that there is about the closure of these ticket offices. The only losers in this dispute are London's Tube users.”