Boris plans late Tube at weekend

The Conservative mayoral candidate also promised extra police to patrol Tube and railway stations and vowed to improve security on London's network.

He also effectively pledged an end to the western extension to the congestion charge and provide a Paris-style bicycle hire scheme.

Ken Livingstone described the plans as "chaotic", and said Mr Johnson "would be a disaster for the city".

Mr Johnson pledged to extend operating hours from central London until about 1.30am, as the rival candidates step up their campaigning to be the next Mayor. Late-night revellers would benefit most but it would also help workers in bars and clubs. But he admitted engineering works, which take place at night, could be delayed.

In the Tory candidate's transport manifesto, he also pledged to stop the closure of Tube ticket offices and plans to consult west London residents on the congestion charge extension, effectively meaning it would be scrapped. He wants the power to fine utilities companies which cause traffic chaos when they dig up the roads.

But he faced embarrassment when London TravelWatch chairman Brian Cooke pulled out of today's launch - claiming his presence would be seen as endorsement.

Mr Johnson launched his manifesto - Getting Londoners Moving - with shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers at St Pancras. He said: "We too often spend our mornings and evenings in cramped, overcrowded carriages or sitting for hours in traffic, and we pay the highest fares in Europe."

He would bring in direct debit for Oyster cards and more air-conditioning on the Tube. He would try to negotiate a deal with unions where, in return for agreeing not to strike, an independent arbiter would rule on pay. He would reform the congestion charge, which could mean motorists being charged more at rush hour and less at other times. Driverswould be sent a bill at the end of every month rather than racking up "mean-spirited" fines.

He would also scrap Ken Livingstone's £25 charge for gas-guzzling vehicles.

He wants to introduce a new generation of Routemasters, with conductors. He would clamp down on illegal minicabs, set up a Paris-style cycle hire scheme, support some 20mph zones and increase cycle parking. There would also be better integrated river transport on the Thames.

He pledged to re-instate the tidal flow system at the Blackwall tunnel and oppose increasing the Dartford crossing toll charge by 50p to £1.50. Although he has backed calls for a Thames Gateway crossing, he opposes existing plans on environmental grounds.

Mr Livingstone said the plans were "chaotic". He said: "Last week he claimed it would cost only £8 million to put conductors on to some buses when the real cost is £108 million."

Lib-Dem candidate Brian Paddick said the plans for transport policing were actually beyond the Mayor's remit, which does not cover the British Transport Police.

The 1 May ballot will have a field of candidates widely viewed as the most impressive since the post of Mayor was created eight years ago. For Labour, Mr Livingstone is hoping to secure a third term and is certain to highlight the successful bid for the 2012 Olympics, the congestion charge and the deal to fund Crossrail.

MrJohnson is promising more police on the streets, to improve transport and stop the cost of the Games spiralling. The Lib-Dems are fielding former senior Met officer Mr Paddick, while Si‚n Berry of the Greens is the most high-profile of about 10 other candidates expected to enter.

Opinion polls show Mr Livingstone and Mr Johnson running virtually neck and neck. Four years ago, Mr Livingstone comfortably beat his Tory challenger Steve Norris. The Tories were then led by Michael Howard and were fielding a candidate unpopular with some in his own party.

This time, David Cameron is leading a resurgent party and Mr Johnson appears able to unite Tories and appeal to younger voters. In 2004, Labour was still relatively popular nationally, despite opposition to the Iraq war. Its popularity has since dipped with Gordon Brown as Prime Minister.