TfL press office bill trebles to £2.5m

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The organisation responsible for the capital's Tubes, buses and main roads and the congestion charge employs 33 officials to deal with the media.

The cost has almost trebled since the Mayor was re-elected three and a half years ago, rising from £858,990 in 2003/04 to the £2,491,226 budgeted for the current financial year.

Roger Evans, Tory chairman of the London Assembly's transport committee, said: "This is a staggering amount of money to spend on nothing more than a few press officers and some glossy photos.

"Transport for London should concentrate on getting people to and from work and around our great city rather than how to spin a story. There are many ways this £2.5 million could be better spent and the Mayor must urgently get a grip on this escalating figure as it is already out of control."

TfL operates a 24-hour service for the media and says it receives about 1,000 calls a week from journalists. Staff also monitor the media and provide "instant rebuttal" to coverage that is perceived to be damaging.

The operation is overseen by Vernon Everitt, who joined this year on a six-figure salary as managing director of TfL marketing and communications. He reports to the TfL board, which is chaired by the Mayor.

Mr Livingstone said the budget included "operating costs" such as technology, photography, media monitoring and event management, and the press office played a "key role" in providing "timely and accurate information" to passengers via the media.

It was also vital in promoting and managing major events, such as this year's Tour de France Grand Départ and in responding to major incidents, such as the 7/7 bombings, he said.

A TfL spokesman said: "Londoners have to be informed via the media and other means of all manner of issues, ranging from the effects of renewal works on services, delays and safety issues to major events. Its costs represent less than half of one hundredth of one per cent of TfL's annual budget."