London commuter trains won't be under TfL control straightaway, admits Sadiq Khan

A train coming into London Victoria Station
-Credit: (Image: Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images)


Sadiq Khan has admitted that Transport for London (TfL) won't assume control of the commuter railway lines straight away. During the London mayoral election campaign earlier this year, he pledged to bring suburban London railway services under Transport for London's (TfL) umbrella.

This would create a 'revolutionary metro-style' system. However, the Government plans to create Great British Railways, bringing the country's railways under public ownership once again after they were privatised in the 1990s.

Transport minister Simon Lightwood told MyLondon earlier this month: "I think what we're trying to build in with Great British Railways is make sure that our mayors have a statutory input into that, and that they have some influence over Great British Railways as well. So I think it entirely works together."

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Now, the Mayor of London has confirmed that the Government will take over services before TfL. He told the London Assembly: "Discussions over the transfer of control of additional National Rail services to me are ongoing with central government.

"It is my understanding that rail services will come under the direct control of central government as current operating contracts expire. Decisions will then need to be made as to how these services are provided in future and who controls them.

"The timeframes for any transfer of control to TfL would depend on the timescales for planning and executing the many activities required to enable the transfer such as separating out staff, trains and accounts and determining what additional resources are required to enable the new operations to function independently."

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan wearing high vis on a new Piccadilly line train
The Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, and the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, are discussing what will happen to London's commuter railway lines -Credit:Danny Lawson/PA Wire

System would 'deliver tangible benefits'

When asked by Conservative Assembly Member Alessandro Georgiou if this would involve taking over sections of railways outside London, Mr Khan added: "Transport for London (TfL) already operates transport services outside the London area on its London Underground, London Overground, Elizabeth line and Bus networks.

"The principle of such operations is therefore well established and has delivered tangible benefits to the communities served. I will continue to ensure that the aspirations of communities outside London who are served by TfL are recognised and acted upon through regular liaison with their elected representatives.

"This liaison is supported by two TfL Board Members who represent the interests of users of TfL services who live, work and study outside of Greater London. They liaise with relevant transport authorities on this topic. There are also regulations affecting fares and timetabling that protect the interests of users living outside the London area."

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