Archived Topic
Topic ID 228
17/07/2004 by cj
King Ken
As a lot of us are commuters, we must have read about Ken Livngstone's comments that he would like to take on running the commuter services into London, from as far as Stevenage. Hmm. My thoughts - can't do any worse than all the other bodies who have tried and it would give me an oyster card and open travel. However, in the back of my mind Ken if very politically orientatied - so what would he get out of this? Perhaps putting the Great (ie extending)back into Greater London to cut short John Prescott's East Anglia Region? Any views?
0 replies
Archived Replies
Reply ID 1224
18/07/2004 by JohnSmith
I'm all for Ken taking control. What has been lacking since the break up of British Rail is co-ordination. If Ken takes over I believe that public transport will start to work together.
I think he gets too much stick. Unlike other politicians he sticks to his word. Back in 82/3 he said if he was elected he would reduce fares and he did. He set himself up to be shot down when he said he would introduce the congestion charge. He was elected, introduced it and made it work.
He also practices what he preaches by using public transport.
I don't think he would try to take over public transport on such a large scale unless he knew it was possible to make it work. The biggest problem he will face is the state of the railway infrastructure which is the main cause of delays. However, by taking control he should be able to get rid of the blame culture which makes it easy for the train operators to shirk any responsibility they may have.
Reply ID 1239
20/07/2004 by Mike
I'm suspicious.
Ken Livingstone is a political animal - he only does anything in return for votes. We don't - can't - vote for him out here. Therefore, be prepared for service cut-backs outside the core GLA area, and resources redirected to improve services for Ken's electorate, who will no doubt reward him at election time.
More trains terminating at Enfield perhaps. Or higher fares for journeys beginning outside Greater London.
Oh - and I'm intrigued to hear that old chestnut about him always taking public transport. He actually uses TAXIS! Technically public transport, I admit. But a private car by any other definition.
Reply ID 1250
22/07/2004 by jez_p
I think the reason the government is not keen to let Ken/GLA have control over the commuter routes is that there will be a conflict of interests once the train gets to Stevenage does it suddenly come out of Ken's control when it carries on to Cambridge or Peterborough or will Ken only be responsible for the trains that terminate at Stevengage or before?
If the latter is the case then there will possibly be 3 bodies squabbling for space on the track to run their trains
GNER - WAGN and Ken's Trains, It is bad enough with just 2
3 replies