Launching a new report by the London Assembly Transport Committee, Caroline Pidgeon stressed the importance of suburban rail to London's transport network, and the investment and strategic thinking that is needed to make it work smoothly.
Caroline said:
“The rail network is an essential part of the rhythm and movement in this city.
“For Londoners and visitors to get around our city our rail network has to be world-class. Currently, it is not.
As international credit rating agency Moody's warned that the delay in launching Crossrail will hit Transport for London with a £400m funding shortfall in 2021, Caroline Pidgeon said:
“The Moody’s report makes for grim reading over the financial crisis now facing TfL. Their report draws upon and reflects what the London Assembly has been saying for months regarding the huge loss in income that TfL will now face due to the delayed opening of Crossrail.
On the BBC's Sunday Politics, Caroline discusses the Mayor's bus service changes, which are not delivering the promised improvements in outer London, while taking services away from areas with no alternative transport, and making life harder for passengers with limited mobility.
Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat Londonwide Assembly Member, has responded to Transport for London’s Central London Bus Service Review, with a very clear message that the RV1 bus route should be saved.
Responding to the consultation, Caroline highlighted that TfL’s own figures show passenger usage has actually increased on the bus route between April and August of this year (August's are the most recent figures that TfL were able to produce).
Highlighting the importance of retaining the RV1 bus service, Caroline said:
Caroline Pidgeon has highlighted the delays and uncertainty plaguing the refurbishment of Hammersmith Bridge.
Work was expected to start late in 2018, but this has been delayed into 2019 - exactly what the start and finish dates will be remains very unclear, with mixed messages from Transport for London, and Hammersmith and Fulham Council.
Heavy vehicles are currently banned from driving over the bridge, and this means TfL need to pay for traffic wardens to enforce the restrictions.
Caroline said:
In an interview with Rail Technology magazine, Caroline discusses the problems so far with Crossrail, and the leadership that is needed to make sure it is successfully completed.
Caroline joined Kingston Lib Dem councillors Hilary Gander, Sam Foulder-Hughes and Lorraine Dunstone for a site visit with TfL officials. They reviewed the situation at Tolworth roundabout, as well as other local transport issues.
After Transport for London announced a new Bus Safety Standard to be applied to new buses, Caroline Pidgeon stressed the need for faster action by TfL and bus operators to ensure all buses are safe for all Londoners.
“We welcome TfL’s announcement of a new Bus Safety Standard in a bid to make Londoners’ journeys on buses safer. However, these measures simply do not go far enough.
The Financial Conduct Authority has confirmed to Caroline Pidgeon it is reviewing the late announcement of the Crossrail delay, and the lack of transparency provided to the public and the financial markets, to decide whether to launch a formal investigation.
Caroline said:
“The Transport Committee identified grave discrepancies in the evidence gathered from meetings to determine who knew what, when, with regard to the launch of Crossrail.
