London-wide + Kingston stories

Boris must stop dithering on fares

At today's Mayor's Question Time, Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Transport Spokesperson, criticised Boris Johnson's repeated evasiveness in answering questions about 2010 transport fares in 2010, saying:

"This time last year the Mayor had already told Londoners what the fares package would be for 2009. Now a year later the Mayor seems incapable of even saying when a decision will be announced for fares in 2010. Why is the Mayor dithering on fares?

Lib Dems highlight risks to public as bus CCTV footage is destroyed

Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat MP for North Southwark and Bermondsey, and Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, have been alarmed to discover that CCTV footage on buses is only kept for one week. After being contacted by a constituent who was allegedly assaulted by a driver on a 42 bus, Simon was shocked to discover the Transport for London and East Thames Buses had no record of the incident because CCTV footage had been destroyed.

Mayor must freeze fares for 2010

Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Transport Spokesperson and Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, commenting on today’s July inflation figures, which are used as the basis of future fare rises said:

“With prices falling by minus 1.4% in July the Mayor should not hesitate to announce that bus, tube and tram fares will at least be frozen in 2010.

Caroline supports Chessington families in school bus campaign

Transport for London have promised to assess the case for a new school bus between Hinchley Wood School and Chessington following a recent meeting with local parents Steve Griffiths and Steph Narramore, Cllr Mary Reid, Ed Davey MP and Caroline Pidgeon AM, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member and Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee.

At the meeting held on Wednesday, detailed evidence was presented to Transport for London (TfL) showing that the increase in pupils attending the school from Chessington clearly justifies a dedicated school bus. Using a map showing where pupils live, evidence was shown that already about 140 pupils of Hinchley Wood School come from homes in the area. Pupils can only get to the school by bus using the 71 followed by the K3 which takes about an hour, and both buses are already pretty full at peak hours.

Caroline questions the Mayor

Caroline's questions in June's Mayor's Question Time, and Boris Johnson's answers, are now on the London Assembly's website.

Caroline covered a number of topics, including:

  • Free access to National Rail services for Freedom Pass holders at peak time
  • Ensuring Londoners can continue to commute with the extra strain on public transport during the 2012 Olympics
  • Preventing the loss of local accessible transport services like the ones recently closed down in Kingston

The full questions and answers are here.

If you can use Oyster today, why not every day?

Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Transport Spokesperson, commenting on the temporary extension of Oyster Pay as You Go to most train services across London, said:

“If Oyster Pay As You Go can cover most train services in London for 48 hours, why not everyday? Londoners have today been given a glimpse of what should already be a reality each and every day of the year.

Mayor's legacy of broken promises on Oyster

In his first year of office Boris Johnson has broken numerous promises he made to Londoners to improve rail services and has overseen huge delays in extending Oyster to overground train services, says Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Transport Spokesperson.

Commenting further, Caroline said:
"A year ago Boris Johnson promised to champion the cause of rail passengers by negotiating with Train Operating Companies (TOCs) and delivering Oyster to all overground stations within a year.

Caroline Pidgeon highlights TfL neglect of pedestrian crossings

Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Transport Spokesperson, has revealed that one in five pedestrian crossings in London do not give people enough time to cross the road.

The figures, which had to be obtained by a Freedom of Information inquiry, show 472 crossings do not comply with the minimum timings guidelines from the Department of Transport. These crossings do not provide enough time between the green man light disappearing and the amber light appearing for motorists.

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