TfL: Lib Dem mayoral candidate Rob Blackie pledges to end bus cuts and increase transport in outer London

The Liberal Democrats’ mayoral candidate has pledged to end bus cuts and boost transport in outer London if elected next month.

Rob Blackie launched his transport policy at a stop on the 450 bus route in Crystal Palace on Tuesday morning to “illustrate how local campaigners were fighting cuts to such vital links”.

Mr Blackie promised to facilitate a long-term funding settlement with the government and secure fair wages for transportation workers to end the long-running strikes.

The 51-year-old digital marketer said he would also prioritise funding stability, increase borrowing capacity and provide new Tube and train lines, particularly in outer London.

Join our new WhatsApp Community to get the latest news from across London directly to your phone

“London should have the greatest transport system in the world, but for too many it has become unreliable,” said Mr Blackie.

 “After eight years with Sadiq Khan in charge, bus services have been cut, tubes are breaking down more, and there’s no hope for the extensions to the network that he promised.

 “As Liberal Democrat mayor, I will get London moving again. I will bring an end to bus cuts,  and focus on investment in new tube, train and tram lines outer London.

 “I will earn a long-term funding settlement with the government by prioritising financial stability at Transport for London and ditching costly election gimmicks. That will mean more investment in maintenance for reliability and accessibility too.”

Mr Blackie who has been campaigning for clean air for decades also said he would keep the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charge if elected, but would look at providing more support for van drivers.

Green Party

On Monday, the Green Party mayoral candidate Zoë Garbett pledged to introduce a flat fare on the London Underground and Overground.

The party’s manifesto, which has a heavy focus on transport, sets out plans for a consultation on a pay-per-mile road charging scheme and extending free bus travel to under 22s and asylum seekers.

The Green Party’s plan is to flatten fares by creating a single zone for Tube and rail to help reduce travel costs for those travelling from outer London. 

Ms Garbett said they would start by flattening Docklands Light Railway (DLR) fares.

If elected mayor, the Green candidate pledged to replace Sadiq Khan’s ULEZ scheme with a “smarter, fairer” road pricing plan by the end of 2028.

Other transport plans in the Green Party’s manifesto include introducing more tram routes, expanding cycle hire schemes and to bring the Santander cycle hire under the Oyster charging system.

It pledges to tackle Sadiq Khan’s backlog of projects including the West London Orbital, the Bakerloo line extension and the DLR Thamesmead.

Labour Party

Sadiq Khan, who is hoping for a third term as the Labour mayor, said he has “no plans at all” to introduce a pay-per-mile system for drivers if re-elected.

Mr Khan previously told LondonWorld: “I have no plans at all to bring in pay per mile. It's not on the agenda, it’s not on the table.

“In relation to the congestion charge, the ULEZ, the LEZ, I think they’re working pretty well. I’m keen to make sure that we do other things to try and address the issues around zero carbon.

“We want more of our buses to be zero emission capable, more of our taxis to be zero emission capable. We want more Londoners to have access to safe cycling and more walking routes. There are many more things we can do to get to zero carbon.”

Labour’s website says, on transport, that Mr Khan has introduced cheaper Friday fares, the Hopper bus fare and delivered a five-year freeze on TfL fares.

“He’s also introduced The Superloop, opened the Night Tube and delivered the Elizabeth Line. And he’s made transport in London cleaner by investing in greener buses and electric taxis, and by delivering a five-fold increase in protected cycling lanes.”

Conservative Party

Conservative candidate Susan Hall has pledged to reinstate the Freedom Pass and 60+ Oyster Card in peak morning hours if elected.

Regarding transport, Ms Hall’s priorities include scrapping the expansion of the ULEZ scheme on her first day.

The 69-year-old Assembly member has pledged to encourage councils to remove Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), and to “remove unnecessary 20mph zones on main TfL-controlled roads”.

In total, 13 candidates are standing for the office of mayor of London for the next four years.

The London mayoral election is on May 2, along with the election of London Assembly members. Voters are reminded they need photo ID following the introduction of new legislation.