Sadiq Khan unveils plan for 'metro-style' London suburban train system

Sadiq Khan has pledged to bring suburban London railway services under TfL's control, creating a 'revolutionary metro-style' system. The mayor - who is seeking another term on May 2 - says he would work with an incoming Labour government, were the British public to elect one to 'end the misery of failing outer London suburban rail services' if he is re-elected.

Mr Khan says he would 'explore' which lines could be transferred to the control of the transport authority when current contracts expire. Services are currently run by an array of private operators.

He proposed this morning (Friday, April 26) that ‘devolved’ metro-style services could be suburban Southeastern from Kent to Victoria, Charing Cross and Cannon Street, and Great Northern from Hertfordshire to Moorgate. The announcement follows the national Labour Party revealing plans to roll out nationalisation of rail during first five years in power, if it won the next general election

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It comes after MyLondon reported in February that the mayor would like to bring more commuter National Rail lines under TfL's control.

Now, Mr Khan says that the first lines brought under TfL control could include:

• Suburban Southeastern services linking Victoria, Charing Cross and Cannon Street with Dartford, Hayes and Sevenoaks

• Great Northern services connecting Moorgate with Welwyn Garden City, Hertford and Stevenage

The mayor's team argues that this would deliver 'genuine benefits' to Londoners who rely on these services. These would include, Labour campaigners say:

• More frequent trains, better interchanges and increased capacity with new trains to enable better journey times

• Greater reliability for all passengers

• Better and simpler customer service, due to integration into TfL passenger information systems

• Potentially longer operational hours at night and the weekend

• Better accessibility and turn-up-and-go arrangements

• More services included in the TfL fare tariff, both simplifying fares and making them better value

Bringing services under TfL's umbrella would depend on certain factors

Mr Khan says that services that could be brought under TfL control would depend on factors such as whether they run mostly or wholly within Greater London, and when contracts with the Department for Transport are due to expire.

In addition, the mayor suggests that up to 130,000 new homes could be built within one kilometre of existing stations as a result of 'improving services' in south and south east London.

Mr Khan said: “The operators running our suburban rail services have been letting down Londoners year after year. The experience of commuters has been one of delays, a poor service and unjustified hikes in fares."

He added: "Rail devolution would bring huge benefits for Londoners. The Tories talked about rail devolution, but completely went back on the promise."

The Government says the rise in rail fares, activated earlier this year, was limited to 4.9 per cent. Officials say this was much lower than the 9 per cent retail price index (RPI) inflation figure in July, on which the annual increases are historically based.

The increase was also delayed until March 2024, rather than kicking in in January as was normal before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Read our full exclusive interview with the current Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, ahead of May 2 here. You can also read MyLondon's interview with the Tory candidate, Susan Hall, here.

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