On 18th March, Caroline talked to BBC Radio London about the financial challenges facing London's transport system.
Caroline said:
Just like other world cities, the Government must support Transport for London after the previous Mayor agreed away its subsidy.
The dramatic rise in the theft of car catalytic converters has been revealed by detailed figures obtained by Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon.
Despite many crimes falling during lockdown, the theft of car catalytic converters has soared across London between 2019 and 2020, with increases in 27 of the 32 London boroughs covered by the Metropolitan Police. The borough with the highest number of thefts was Barnet, seeing 1114 thefts in 2020 – more than three thefts a day.
Caroline spoke to BBC London Politics about the lack of progress on step-free access on the tube, and wider concerns about accessibility on London's transport system.
Caroline said:
Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, commenting on the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) investigation report into the fatality at Eden Park train station on the 26 February 2020, where a blind man suffered fatal injuries after falling from the edge of a platform without tactile paving, said:
“In 2021 it is staggering that one third of platforms around the country lack tactile paving, a basic safety measure, simply because it is only installed when there are major station renovations.
Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, commenting on TfL dropping its plans to stop taking cash across all London Underground, DLR and London Overground stations, said:
“This is a welcome decision and a real victory for the 260,000 adults in London without a bank account. Children and tourists will also benefit from this decision.
At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Women's Aid and the Rail Delivery Group launched a scheme providing free train travel to those fleeing domestic abuse, which has since helped hundreds of survivors.
In the London Assembly, Caroline Pidgeon asked the Mayor of London if Transport for London would look at a similar scheme.
In the London Assembly, Caroline Pidgeon raised concerns with the Mayor of London about Transport for London making Tube, DLR and Overground stations cashless.
Caroline said:
Commenting on Transport for London's decision to add Thameslink temporarily to the Tube Map during 2021, Caroline Pidgeon said:
“This is an incredibly welcome decision and should have been made months ago.
“It is a change that I have long advocated and it is good to see TfL finally listening.
“A line which offers a Tube-like service in so many respects should of course be on the Tube map.
A Freedom of Information request by Caroline Pidgeon has revealed that 35% of Great Britain's railway station platforms do not have the tactile paving which is vital for blind and visually impaired people to be able to use them safely.
Caroline told BBC Radio 4's In Touch programme:
When challenged by Caroline Pidgeon in the London Assembly, the Mayor of London refused to apologise that it has taken 8 months for COVID-19 secure guiding and physical assistance to be provided for the blind and visually impaired on Transport for London services.
