Ken Livingstone has finally got his wish – Transport for London have reached agreement to acquire Tramtrack Croydon Limited for £98 million. Services are to be significantly increased by the end of year (how this will be achieved is not known). Mr Livingstone has been going on about poor the service has been on Tramlink for ages now and has finally got his wish to have more control over what is offered – you would think there was an election coming up or something wouldn’t you?
Mr Livingstone said: “Bringing Tramlink into the control of TfL is excellent news for Londoners. This will mean we can plan how to make the improvements that are required to cater for ever increasing numbers of passengers and provide them with the very best possible services."
Although TfL will have to pay a lump sum out in the first place it is thought that in the long run money may be saved as the compensation payment (£4 million in 2007) for changes to fares and ticketing policy will no longer need to be paid. TfL will be able to concentrate on improving the network instead.
Peter Hendy, TfL Commissioner, commented: “With 88 years remaining on the Concession Agreement with Tramtrack Croydon Ltd, this deal represents excellent value for money for London's fare and tax payers. It will allow us to build on the success of Tramlink to date, and increase levels of investment in the system to ensure it can keep up with growing demand, all the while providing a safe, reliable service for passengers. Tramlink should be setting the benchmark for tram services throughout the UK."
The purchase will be completed during this year (summer 2008 is the likely date) and the system will now be managed by TfL’s London Rail directorate. As soon as they do take control improvements will be made to the service:
* Off peak services to Elmers End and Beckenham Junction would double from two trams an hour to four an hour – Monday to Saturday evenings and Sundays.
* Additional services to run on the Wimbledon-New Addington line (no details of how this would be achieved or whether it would be as soon as TfL take control)
Other items on the agenda that TfL would like to improve include targeting graffiti and vandalism, the increase of general maintenance levels and a program to refresh the tram interiors and stops will commence.
Longer term TfL will introduce an investment programme which could allow for upgrading or renewal of the network to ensure “Tramlink provides the best possible public transport service well into the future.”
The London Evening Standard have reported that the takeover has been forced on Tramtrack because of TfL’s tactics. Paul Davison, Tramtrack Managing Director, said: “They've tried everything they can think of. They've sent letters trying to undermine us to our banks. They've taken us to court and lost."
Roger Harding, General Manager of Tramtrack, added: “Their way of negotiating is they decide what they will pay and then tell you that's it. They 'consult' you and then do exactly what they want."
Obviously, TfL have denied these allegations. In fact, Ken Livingstone, has said how good the deal will be for passengers. He said: “No longer will we have to pay £4million a year to Tramtrack and we can put that cash into better services for the people of Croydon. The tram is very popular - passenger numbers are rising all the time and we can ensure that they get the best possible service. We will peg fares and increase levels of investment in the system to ensure Tramlink can keep up with growing demand, all the while providing a safe, reliable service for passengers.”
Source: Transport for London, This is London & Croydon Guardian