Transport watchdog regrets later tube proposals
22-04-2005 London Transport Users’ Committee (LTUC) Press Release
Proposals to run the tube an hour later at weekends would seriously disadvantage early morning passengers, such as shift workers and key ancillary staff, who rely on the service, says the London Transport Users’ Committee (LTUC), the watchdog for transport users in London.
In its response to Transport for London’s (TfL) consultation Weekend tubes: Later start, later finish, which closes today, LTUC recognises the demand for later closing times at the weekend on the tube, but believes the early morning services should be maintained for those passengers who are wholly dependent on this services.
Brian Cooke, LTUC, said: “We accept that later closing tubes might benefit a greater number of people, but the disbenefit to early morning users would have a significantly greater impact. Many of these users are from low-income groups, and travel longer than average journeys – for which there are no timely, or affordable, alternative forms of transport available. In comparison, passengers who would take advantage of the later closing times are much more likely to be able to choose what time to travel.”
LTUC is also concerned at the early morning national rail connections that would be lost if the tubes started an hour later in the morning – we calculate that there are over 250 current connections that underground passengers would be unable to access, as opposed to 60 extra connections in the evening.
Brian Cooke continued: “The loss in the morning of these connections with national rail is significantly greater than the evening, and provides another considerable disbenefit for early morning users, and that’s without considering the effect on staff and passengers at Heathrow Airport, which is substantial.”
LTUC also hopes that TfL will recognise that passengers who rely on the early morning services may well be less vocal in expressing their requirements than the late night passengers.
Brian Cooke concluded: “Rather than run the tubes one hour later, TfL should take this opportunity to review night bus service, so that it more closely mirrors the underground network and provides a comprehensive interchange with the rail network in London.”
Notes to Editors:
The London Transport Users Committee (LTUC) is the only official watchdog organisation representing the interests of transport users in and around the capital. LTUC is independent of the transport operators and government. It is sponsored and funded by the London Assembly, which is part of the Greater London Authority.
LTUC’s full response to TfL’s consultation can be found at:
http://www.ltuc.org.uk/document_list.php?category_id=95
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