London Underground to be franchised

[LexyBoy]

Not seen this up anywhere yet - apologies if duplicated. From BBC News this morning:

London's Tube Lines to be "Sold Off"
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, this morning announced that London Underground is to be franchised to private companies in a system similar to the privatisation of Britain's National Rail network in 1994.

Transport for London (TfL) announced the move amongst a range of cost-saving measures intended to save £7.6bn over the next seven years. Mayor Boris Johnson said that the move would "deliver massive improvements for commuters", and that "fares would remain affordable whilst delivering the investment necessary to bring London's Victorian transport infrastructure into the 21st century".

But consumer groups claim that the changes will lead to a poorer service and fare rises. "Londoners can expect a disjointed and inequitable transport system if TfL go forwards with this plan" said a spokesperson from London Travelwatch, an independent travel watchdog in the capital. "There are not sufficient safeguards to prevent profiteering companies hiking fares at will". TfL have denied this in a press statement, stating that fares rises must be approved by an independent body, and that the infrastructure would remain in TfL's hands.

Sources within TfL claim that discussions have already begun, with decisions on some franchises being at an advanced stage. FirstGroup, who run buses nationwide as well as several National Rail routes, are rumoured to be favourites for operating the Hammersmith & City and Piccadily Lines, whilst the Victoria Line may be operated by Arriva, who already operate buses within the capital.

One line in particular has caused particular controversy. Virgin Rail's bid for the Central Line, London's longest, which runs for 47 miles across London has been praised by some for their bold promises of improvements to services. Stephen Timms, MP for East Ham, said "Virgin's proposal to reduce journey times to prosperous West London is sure to be a massive boost to the local economy". Others have criticised the proposals, which will involve extensive engineering works and scheduling changes which will make almost all trains non-stop between Ealing Broadway and Stratford, as "insane".

Much maligned north-south route, the Northern Line, is thought to be offered to Serco-NedRailways, the alliance who operate rail services in northern England. The owners have promised to keep fares to a minimum, a move which has caused anger in the unions. One union member, who wishes not to be named, told the BBC "The plan is to close ticket offices and force passengers to buy their ticket from the driver. Though we accept that most commuters hold Travelcards, we cannot tolerate the undermining of the vital safety role of the driver". The proposal of using "Class 142" locomotives on quieter sections of the line as a cost-cutting measure has also been criticised, with the trains being described as "completely unsuited" to the Underground. Serco-NedRailways declined to comment, stating that "several options are being considered as regards rolling stock".

Bob Crow, Secretary General of transport union the RMT, told the BBC "I am delighted with this announcement. For far too long London's transport system has remained an inefficient and overstaffed well into which taxpayer's money simply disappeared. Without a doubt, this wholesale hand-over of a vital public resource into the hands of private enterprise will raise standards and improve the lives of all who use it".

 

[Tringonometry]

 

[Simon Poole]

Honestly it sound stupid at first, i can't see a London Underground C69/C77 Stock or S Stock painted in Colours like Virgin Trains and Arriva, what next...the Docklands Light Railway will be under NXEA or C2C? or if Virgin do own a part of the Underground would they have tilting Tube Stock

Or could this be an April Fools Joke?

 

[Sapphire Blue]

Well you had me until the Bob Crowe bit, but you had to go a step too far!!

 

[NSEFAN]

Look at the date

The bit about Bob Crow gave it away!

 

[chris89]

Quite funny actually

Some other good jokes about at the moment.

Chris

 

[CNX]

I thought it was an offence/thought crime to have a sense of humour in the UK now. Perhaps old habits really do die hard.

Very good. It reminds me of one in 1997, when a newpaper article said Britain was currently negotiating with China to retain soverignty of Hong Kong, and in return the Chinese would assume control of the Isle of Wight, something which provoked questions in the house from the islands MP!

 

[jon0844]

Look at the date

The bit about Bob Crow gave it away!

And the mention of 142s didn't also?

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Very good! I spotted it when you hadn't posted a link to the BBC article, but you nearly had me fooled!
Anyone see the April fool in the metro this morning?

 

[jon0844]

They didn't try very hard with the edible Metro (given the content on most days, it would taste like s***), but one of the ads was quite amusing;

 

[Statto]

I thought it was an offence/thought crime to have a sense of humour in the UK now. Perhaps old habits really do die hard.

Very good. It reminds me of one in 1997, when a newpaper article said Britain was currently negotiating with China to retain soverignty of Hong Kong, and in return the Chinese would assume control of the Isle of Wight, something which provoked questions in the house from the islands MP!

That made me chuckle.

Very good 9/10 for effort had me going till the Bob Crow bit.

I remember the April Fool on BBC Grandstand, when the background Staff had a punch up in the background, as Des Lynam was mentioning there dedicated professional staff, think there were a few complaints.

 

[SouthEastern-465]

Very well written for an Aprils fool!

 

[Zoe]

Actually what you describe above may well have been reality had the Tories won in 1997.

 

[CNX]

April Fools Day wouldn't be complete with Ryanair's contribution.

http://www.ryanair.com/en/news/child-free-flights-from-october-2011

 

[jon0844]

April Fools Day wouldn't be complete with Ryanair's contribution.

http://www.ryanair.com/en/news/child-free-flights-from-october-2011

If that isn't true, there are going to be a lot of disappointed customers.

 

[me123]

Given that it's still on the website, it's probably going to happen. It just says it all with Ryanair, though; no-one can work out if it's a joke or not!

 

[OxtedL]

[Hurriedly stops having heart attack...]

Woah, that was scary for a second...

 

[Simon Poole]

did i also forgot to say it did made me laugh...i was an Virgin Trains service when i saw this, this morning

 

[class156]

Very Good, believed it till I seen the bit about pacers taking over quieter sections of routes

 

[Blindtraveler]

i'm so thick! Just trolled all the way through tfl looking for this before brousing the remainder of the thread. You all have permission to slag me!!

 

[43021HST]

i'm so thick! Just trolled all the way through tfl looking for this before brousing the remainder of the thread. You all have permission to slag me!!

Look at the ceiling it says gullible

If the torys stay in power after the next election that could be plausible.

A typical announcement would be, "Trains along the central line have to stick to a 30mph speed limit due to fatigued rails."

 

[Blindtraveler]

haha. Mind you, would like to see the opperator who trialed a trollie service onboard!

Look at the ceiling it says gullible

If the torys stay in power after the next election that could be plausible.

A typical announcement would be, "Trains along the central line have to stick to a 30mph speed limit due to fatigued rails."