London: mayor should run rail services

[IanXC]

I'm not sure a London city region would be any different to the current Greater London area though as if it was then it would be out of line with the EU region of London.

Sheffield City Region already crosses NUTS region boundaries, and they are essentially within each national government's gift anyway.

 

[Zoe]

Sheffield City Region already crosses NUTS region boundaries, and they are essentially within each national government's gift anyway.

Yes but with London the Greater London Area is currently equivalent exactly to the NUTS region. I don't think it would be a good idea for these to be out of line.

 

[jon0844]

In the end this will probably be just a pipe dream...

Once you bring in politics, I can see that things could happen quicker than you might expect.

Ken gets in, and very quickly TfL is ordered to take over the lines ASAP. And if, given the last time, they take over any other lines - the chances are the actual changeover/upgrade will take place over time. So, they will put in the 'temporary signs', throw 'London Overground' vinyls on whatever base colour the trains have and so on.

But, what might happen sooner (which would be a good thing) is they'll ensure stations are staffed for longer, if not all the times trains are running.

I guess it all depends on what happens next year. It certainly makes sense that another option could be to simply incorporate part of an existing service into the LO brand - but keep it under the control of the current franchise holder until renewal.

 

[IanXC]

Yes but with London the Greater London Area is currently equivalent exactly to the NUTS region. I don't think it would be a good idea for these to be out of line.

Like I said though, there is nothing to stop the UK government amending the regional boundaries. The UK is split into 12 NUTS1 areas, Italy with a similar overall population is split into 5, so much as there is a target maximum of 7 million there is plenty of precedent for exceeding it.

 

[Schnellzug]

Nuts?

*n.b. it changes capitals. NUTS?, is what i meant.

 

[ji459]

How about train companies running rail services instead of politicians?!