Responding to the new Transport for London (TfL) bailout deal agreed between the Mayor of London and Government, Luisa Porritt, Liberal Democrat Candidate for Mayor of London said:
“Sadiq Khan presenting this deal as a victory when it means cuts to TfL and fare rises for Londoners amid a recession shows how damaging these negotiations have been.
“The Conservative Government has sought to punish Londoners who are already struggling, while the Mayor of London has proven himself to be a weak negotiator. The Mayor’s mismanagement of Crossrail and appetite for political games, including leaking talks to help his image, undermined his ability to secure a good deal for Londoners.
“For Sadiq Khan to claim free travel for under-18s has been saved is disingenuous: this decision had already been delayed until the Spring, and could come back on the table again. The threat of punishing council tax rises still looms large.
“Everywhere else in the country, private rail companies were offered the support they needed to get through this pandemic without punitive conditions. The Mayor of London has achieved nothing for us.
“Major decisions about TfL’s long-term future for Londoners to decide at the ballot box in the elections next May. The Liberal Democrats believe TfL needs to move away from a dependence on fares for income and look to introduce a smart, fair, road user charging scheme.”
