London’s suburban rail network should be devolved to the Mayor in order to improve services for passengers, the London Assembly Transport Committee has urged in a new report.

 

It calls for Transport for London to replace the Department for Transport as the commissioning authority for suburban routes on franchises serving south London when they come up for renewal.

 

This came after a survey found that 68% of the capital’s rail passengers are in favour of devolution to TfL, with support particularly high among users in the south. Just 26% said they preferred their existing operator.

 

Transport Committee chair Valerie Shawcross said: “TfL could bring higher levels of investment to these suburban services and make better use of our scarce track infrastructure.”

 

As an example she pointed to the growing popularity of the London Overground network, which has benefitted from longer, more frequent trains and improved stations since TfL took it over in 2007.

 

She added: “Passengers are voters and with greater devolution they would have an accessible, elected Mayor to hold to account if they are not happy with their rail services.”

 

The new report ‘Devolving rail services to London: Towards a South London Metro’ also points out that TfL could make more strategic decisions to ensure the rail network supports regeneration in London and its surroundings.

 

With the South Eastern rail franchise due for renewal in 2018, the Committee is now urging TfL to develop a business case for its suburban routes, covering proposed investments, potential for efficiencies and revenue projections.

 

Ms Shawcross said: “There is enthusiastic cross party support for the action plan we set out in this report, and we believe it will enable the Mayor and TfL to make a persuasive case for reform.”

 

TfL’s chief operating officer for rail Gareth Powell said: “We welcome this report by the Assembly, which ties in closely with our own ideas to help improve rail services for passengers in London and beyond.”

 

(Photo: Transport for London)