20.07.16
Khan proposes TfL take over troubled Southern franchise
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has written to the new transport secretary proposing that Transport for London (TfL) immediately takes over the Southern rail franchise.
Mass cancellations and delays on the network have led to Southern’s parent company Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) cancelling 341 services a day to try to get control of the franchise.
Khan, who has previously called for GTR to be stripped of the franchise, has now written to Chris Grayling to say that the senior team at TfL should immediately take control of the franchise as a temporary measure.
Khan said: “Thousands of Londoners and longer-distance commuters simply cannot get to and from work, and are understandably furious. There is no doubt that the franchise must now be in default.”
The mayor’s letter comes following the resignation of rail minister Claire Perry after she told Parliament that the problems at Southern felt “like a failure”.
(Image c. Lauren Hurley from PA Wire and Press Association Images)
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