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The London Rail Conference
Transcript of The London Rail Conference
The London Rail Conference26th May 2004
Ian Brown
MD London Rail, TfL
London - fastest growing city in Europe
• London supports four million jobs
• Contributes £160 billion a year to nation’s GDP
• Rail services vital - 78% of London commuters carried every day
• 70% of all UK rail journeys start or finish in London
• London set to grow by 800,000 people and 630,000 jobs by 2016
• 40% more rail capacity needed to sustain London as a world city
London’s rail needs
• Enhanced rail capacity
• Improved quality of service
• Affordable rail travel
• Enhanced regeneration, social inclusion and equality
Current performance failing London
• Overcrowding getting worse
• Delays estimated to costLondon’s economy £140m pa
• Confusing fares and ticketing
• Uneven performance by trainoperating companies
• Low standards of stationfacilities
• Poor integration with othertransport modes
London gets a poor deal
• SRA focus and investmentconcentrated on regionaland long-distance services
• Very limited powers forMayor and TfL
• Three vital major projectsdelayed or at risk
• No prospect of significantimproved capacity until 2010
• Widespread concernamongst passengers andLondon’s businesses
Time for a change
� Current situation puts the London economy andhence that of the UK at risk
� Companies and passengers will vote with their feet
� Government’s Rail Review provides an opportunityfor change
� TfL response calls for new powers to give Londongreater control of its rail services - similar to othermajor world cities
� Now working with DfT to develop our proposals
Main aims� Key aim is for TfL to secure powers to specify and fund
London’s rail services
� We must achieve higher standards, increased capacity andbetter integration
� Role would include setting timetables, fares and ticketing
� TfL also seeking to sponsor infrastructure enhancements
� Major benefits from having all of London’s transport underone roof - including integration and transport planning
� No desire to run railways or own infrastructure. TfL’sproposal is not fragment the operation of the railway
Areas covered by proposals
� As LRIS extends beyond GLA boundary, TfL would need
regular dialogue with regional and local authorities
� TfL would work with SRA, Network Rail or any new bodies
set up by Government
� Only minimal impact on rest of railway industry
� Rail services more closely specified to meet London’s
needs
� More effective integration with other transport modes
� Simpler fares system with tube-style, zonal smartcard
ticketing
� Innovative fare discounting to relieve peak congestion
� Simplified timetables and new train-stopping patterns to
reduce overcrowding
Potential benefits (1)
Potential benefits (2)• Consistent uniform standards set for
stations including security, staffing,cleanliness and passenger information
• Progress on major rail projects throughdirect sponsorship
• Improved fares integration with TfL’sOystercard extended to rail services -also reduction in queues and faresevasion
• Cost savings through transfer ofrevenue risk to TfL and effective projectmanagement
• Improved accessibility and more focuson socio-economic benefits
Improved interchange opportunities at key ‘outer ring’ stations
Potential benefits (3)
Can TfL deliver?• GLA and TfL have sound track record in delivery
• TfL London Rail has been working on rail development for
past three years - both new projects and enhancements
• Progress inhibited by lack of powers and adequate funding
• Considerable rail expertise - London Rail currently
employing three previous MDs of major rail operators
• Benefits for passengers could be expedited by operating
‘shadow’ London Rail Authority whilst awaiting legislation
Seeking a new approach• Our proposals are just a commonsense approach to dealing with
London’s rail problems
• The aim is to have London treated as a distinct region, similar toPTEs in other areas
• Evidence shows that passenger satisfaction is higher in areaswhere local people and businesses have a say in local transport
• Railways are not a separate entity - they must serve the economyand local communities
• The present system takes scant account of the needs of London -and that is why we are seeking a new approach
www.tfl.gov.uk