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Ken: I'm the man to deliver better transport
Pippa Crerar, Political Correspondent10.03.08
Ken Livingstone has claimed he is the only mayoral candidate who can deliver better transport for London.
The Mayor said plans to build Crossrail, the East London Line extension and other improvements could only be safely carried out if he was reelected.
He attacked his rival Boris Johnson, saying Londoners risked "not only a transport but a financial disaster" if the Tory candidate was elected in May.
Launching his plans in Stratford, Mr Livingstone warned of huge fare increases if the projects were mismanaged-He said: "The biggest task confronting the Mayor over the next four years is to successfully deliver the huge transport projects that are now under way in London because these are the key not only to moving around the city but to the entire finances of London.
He added: "If schemes like Crossrail, the bringing of local rail services under London's control with London Overground, Tube modernisation and the management of our buses go wrong, they are so large they will create not only a transport but a financial disaster for London with huge rises in fares and business rates."
Mr Livingstone set out plans for:
• Taking over the operation of the Southern trains franchise to complete his plan for an overground rail orbital by linking the extended East London line to Clapham junction via West Croydon;
• A single bus route down Oxford Street and, after 2012, a tram for shoppers;
• Giving injured Army veterans free travel;
• A major investment in clean vehicle technology by putting 500 hybrid buses on the streets by 2010 and all new buses being hybrid by 2012 at the latest;
• Doubling the number of countdown signs at bus stops to 4,000 with a new state-of-the-art GPS tracking system;
• A new congestion charge system so drivers can have payments automatically debited when entering the charging zone, avoiding fines.
Central to Mr Livingstone's launch was his claim that a so-called "£100 million-ayear error" in Mr Johnson's bus plans showed he lacked competence. His sustained criticism of the costings for a new Routemaster bus with conductors indicates how seriously he has taken the threat of a Tory victory.
Mr Livingstone said: "We can't have that sort of mistake repeated on the scale of the projects that we are seeing now."
The Livingstone campaign believes it has struck gold with the bus figures row. But the Tory candidate has stuck by his claim that replacing bendy buses with the Routemaster would cost £8 million a year. He accused the Mayor of being "negative, defeatist and misleading".
Mr Livingstone has already promised an orbital rail service around London. He is now in talks with the Transport Department to take over parts of the Southern Railways franchise, to extend the London Overground service to include trains from Victoria and London Bridge.
Transport policies would go "hand in hand" with environmental ones, such as the low emissions zone and the £25 charge for gas-guzzling cars, he said.
He would encourage councils to bring in more 20mph zones around schools and on residential streets while replacing speed bumps with camera technology. Mr Livingstone said: "One of the advantages of using public transport every day myself is that I see the transport system as Londoners experience it.
"This is why ... I have been committed to better public transport for Londoners and why, as Mayor, I have devoted so much time and energy to getting the transport improvements Londoners expect."
Liberal Democrat candidate Brian Paddick said his rivals were both wrong and had been distracted by "bickering" instead of looking for real solutions.
He said: "What we need is a clean, fast and reliable mass transport system that can carry twice as many people as the bendy bus: London needs trams."
Reader views (27)
“"Wow - I see Ken's worker drones are out in force today. Get back to work!"
Obviously, Colin Foster in Bangkok, anyone who actually believes the Mayor is best for London must be in his employment, according to you.”
Good morning Freddie, where do I say that “anyone who actually believes the Mayor is best for London must be in his employment”?
I look forward to hearing from you Freddie
- Colin Foster, Bangkok, Thailand
Anyone who thinks London's transport problems can be solved overnight is living in a dream-world. Within the constraints of the system Ken has made significant progress in the areas which he truly controls - ie, buses and the congestion charge. Now the Tube PPP has collapsed and Ken has gained control of the Overground rail network it seems London's rail services will finally get the cash injection they desperately need. OK, so it's slow progress, but Ken has persuaded government to invest billions in projects such as Crossrail and the East London Line and the Mayor now has far greater powers to improve the system than even a couple of years ago. Can Boris - a man with no experience of running the capital's transport system - realistically be expected to do any better? I think not.
- Dan, London,UK
Sorry Ken your days are numbered if there is anyone left in London with a brain.
Nobody mentions the large number of jobs Livingstone has destroyed due to the congestion charge. We need a fresh brain and one that people respect not a man who defies the assembly in favour of his own agenda.
The sordid affair of the missing millions is no doubt the tip of a very large iceberg and now Livingstone will be looking under his bed every night convinced he is being bugged.
- Kenherts, Hertford, UK
"Wow - I see Ken's worker drones are out in force today. Get back to work!"
Obviously, Colin Foster in Bangkok, anyone who actually believes the Mayor is best for London must be in his employment, according to you.
So, Colin in Bangkok, here's an equally informed comment- "Colin- Happy Finish required in booth number 3"
- Freddie, London, UK
David Aaronovitch in the Times- "The man is chaotic. The notion that a Boris administration will, as his website promises every few lines, subject London's finances and procedures to the most rigorous of scrutinies, is beyond parody. I was discussing this problem with a Conservative commentator the other day. His slightly apologetic view was that Boris might be able to surround himself with a good team, who would compensate for his rather obvious lack of qualifications. Then he looked up, caught my expression, and laughed. It was a capital joke."
Quite.
- Fresh2005, London, UK
Ken's had 8 years in charge and can anyone reading this honestly say that public transport in London has improved since 1999?
Unlike public transport, talk is cheap, Kenny, but even at your prices we're still not buying.
- Charlie, London, UK
To Clare, London: Can you please tell me what is so great about Boris. Please explain that to me in detail as I still haven't seen anything great about his proposals yet. His politics is inconsistent chaotic and highly populist. What else do you expect from someone who is always been pro-Bush, anti-Kyoto and with conservative, reactionary attitudes.
- Victor, London, UK
Bold clear transport thinking from Livingston that blows Boris Johnson's gimmicky transport plans out of the water. Livingston proposes an true orbital rail service, and delivering tube style services to South London - what does Boris have ? Express Buses that will be stuck in traffic. Livingston proposes cycle hire throughout London - what does Boris have? Cycling must be made easier and safer, but how Boris? Livingston will deliver hybrid buses, Boris wants to go back to the cold, slow, inaccessible Routemaster (Boris have EVER tried to get a pushchair on one ?)
It appals me how remarkably uninformed many on here really are. In fact I wonder whether some of these people even use public transport or live in London at all?
I have lived in London all my 58 years and use public transport everyday, everywhere. Livingston has done more for public transport than anyone else since the war. He has reduced car ownership and increased public transport usage in London, faster than other other in the western world. Indeed London is becoming a model for other cities (even Paris!). Yes, he needs to be taken down a peg or two and be made more accountable, but as a Londoner, I judge this man on his record. What has Boris Johnson ever managed other than the funny but often thoughtless editorial-ship of a magazine ? And this man is seriously being considered to run London up to the Olympics? Are you mad?
- Peter, Kingston, London
Giving Ken Livingstone any authority over transport in London is at best pointless and at worst downright dangerous.
The man does not have a driving licence therefore knows nothing of driving in London or anywhere else.
It's a bit like letting someone who has never had anything to do with children look after your kids while your on holiday.
- Jimbob, Kensington, UK
Ken has delivered on transport in the past as leader of the GLC and as Mayor of London. It would be folly to entrust the organization and control of a co-ordinated transport system for a large city like London to an extreme right wing believer in Privatization such as Boris Johnston. London's commuters have suffered enough from the privatization of the Railways and Tube maintenance.
- Mick, London, UK
Is there still someone out there willing to vote Tory? Really?!?
Charging SUV £25/day has to be a winner!
You got my vote Ken!
- Marco Masina, London, UK
It's time to retire Ken, you had your chance to improve London transport and we've only been given bendy buses, higher travel prices and CPZ's. You made it more difficult and no safer for Londoners to travel instead of making it more accessible, punctual and safe. I wonder how often you actually use the tube, British rail and buses? You might have a better idea of how to improve it if you experienced it on a daily basis. Time to go Ken
- Susannah, London, UK
All politicians love spending and wasting other peoples money to enhance their status (and quite often their own wealth). Green taxes are just another example.
Why not just lose another layer of bureaucracy and get rid of the Mayors office!
- David Barker, Eastbourne, UK
Despite continued failures, Mr Livingstone continues to live in a fantasy world of his own making. Like all "public" bodies dealing with transportation, the entire TfL system has become a huge money box. Congestion charging, escalating fares, laughing stock (sorry, that should be rolling stock), inaccessible buses all make for a very lacking transportation system.
Despite obvious tampering with the timing of traffic lights to justify a hike in congestion charging, the money generated does nothing to improve the TfL services.
For our disabled citizens, public transport is a joke; they can't get on the system or once on, can't get off; they have to book journeys in advance if they happen to use a wheelchair; impatient/pressurised drivers make the whole travel experience a dangerous affair.
New initiatives like Cross rail might be a good idea on paper but any sensible Londoner KNOWS that the project will be mis-managed and will be vastly over budget; it will adversely impact London for many years and will cost the taxpayer substantial to construct and substantial to use.
Grow up Mr Livingstone, you need to move aside for someone else to have a go - they can't do any worse than you have.
- Derek Arnold, Bromley, Kent
Can we trust either of them? Ken has had a long time to get it right and yet we still have overcrowded trains buses and underground. The operating staff are unhelpful as they have to deal with so many complaints they are demotivated. This city needs a new man and new ideas and most of all needs to look at the transport systems and make some hard decisions. We need a system that allows the millions who travel each day to do so in comfort and in clean environment. Ken talks a lot but has had two terms and he has failed. That should mean he has had his time. Can Boris change the rot, we do not know but is worth trying to see? As a Londoner we need someone who will think outside the political zones and plan for 2012 and for the next 25/50/100 years and begin an infrastructure plan that will modernise and improve the current systems.
- Ian Makin, Twickenham
Charlie from Soho: are you part of Ken's campaign team? It's just that you seem to be the first person to comment on any Standard article concerning Ken or Boris with a blast at Boris. Just by way of balancing your attack... Ken's a populist authoritarian idiot!
- Lawrence, London, UK
Mike, If you are going to plant contrived "comments" in support of Ken then please learn how to do it less obviously.
- Jay, Southwark
Wow - I see Ken's worker drones are out in force today. Get back to work!
- Colin Foster, Bangkok, Thailand
Livingstone is driven by ideology. Why aren't these enormous sums he's got for transport being used on the tube? He's had eight years....
GET RID OF HIM ON 1 MAY!
- Jill, Teddington, UK
Simple question. If as the other posters think Ken walks on water, how come he's only coming up with this stuff now after so many years in charge? Could it be because he faces being kicked off the gravy train and he'll say absolutely anything to stay on? Be gullible fools if you believe a word Ken says. Ken's an 80's 'eat the rich' class warrior and that's just dated and stupid.
Anyone but Ken (and his fellow travellers) for me. Mad Boris may well be the sanest choice. Personally I have had enough so called Green taxes stuffed down my throat to last several lifetimes.
- Ethan, UK
The desperate rant of a drowning man. Boris is a superior Mayor and I hope anyone with any sense will vote for him.
- Clare, London
List this idiot's pro's and con's. That was quick. Now, work out what he and his bent mates are costing and you have the answer. Get rid of the office of Mayor, we managed for thousands of years before.
- Alan, London
Boris is a massive supporter of rail privatisation despite the disaster caused by its continued mismanagement by money-grabbing businessmen, so I wouldn't let him anywhere near public transport. And has anyone actually seen Boris take a journey by bus or Tube? Thought not. He hasn't a clue what he's talking about. On yer bike, Boris...
- Charlie, Soho
Ken is your man for transport, these latest announcements prove it.
London Overground is key. Look how rundown the North London Line was getting under Silverlink, now (as the Standard itself campaigned for) stations are staffed until closure and new trains are arriving. This much needed and ambitious project must be allowed to develop into completion and create an orbital London railway which doesn't pass into Zone 1.
The railways are crucial for South London, areas deprived of rapid transportation via the tube. It has become clear the privatised companies aren't necessarily putting the essential needs of passengers first. Ken must be allowed to continue the London Overground project to deliver the transport Londoners deserve.
- Sam Cullen, London, UK
>>A new congestion charge system so drivers can have payments automatically debited when entering the charging zone, avoiding fines
Well that won't fly as the only way the CC system is kept afloat is with fines. He should recognise it has failed and think of a different way of improving traffic flow. How about making the roads wider.
- Adam, Harrow, UK
Improving public transport reliability and extending DLR and Tube services to us folk in South East London is a huge success for Ken. Keep it coming.
- Alan Hall, Lewisham London
Now I know that Ken Livingstone is indispensable (as he has explained) I will know where to place my cross on the ballot paper.
- Mike Newland, London
