16.09.16
TfL picks London routes ripe for devolution ahead of DfT approval
Transport for London (TfL) has targeted four groups of suburban rail services across southeast London that would suit its intention to absorb a larger number of devolved routes into its network.
The organisation first announced in January that a new partnership with the DfT meant all rail services that operate mostly or entirely within Greater London could be transferred to TfL when current franchises expire in the coming years.
As well as adding more routes to its devolved portfolio, which includes London Overground and TfL Rail, the organisation would also take the lead on a new London Suburban Metro service.
In papers published ahead of a board meeting on 22 September, TfL revealed that it had already identified routes – currently part of the South West Trains, Southeastern and Govia Thameslink Railway franchises – where such devolution would work, subject to governmental approval. These include:
- To/from Charing Cross, Cannon Street and Victoria serving southeast London (current franchise ends in June 2018)
- To/from London Bridge and Victoria serving south central London (current franchise ends in September 2021)
- To/from Waterloo serving southwest London (current franchise ends in June 2017)
- To/from Moorgate serving north central London (current franchise ends September 2021)
The services targeted are considered “suitable” for devolution because they would be ‘stopping’ suburban services that terminate inside, or just beyond, the London boundary.
Gareth Powell, director of strategy and contracted services at TfL, added in the board paper: “The suburban rail network in south London provides excellent geographical coverage in many areas but frequencies are low compared to both London Underground and some other suburban routes, journey times are relatively long, services are complex and many trains are heavily crowded at peak times.
“The concept of ‘metronisation’ that we have developed would introduce more consistent stopping patterns, clearer routes, and new interchanges. It would also implement improvements to track, junctions and signalling to increase capacity.
“New rolling stock would have better acceleration and braking to reduce journey times, which combined with wider doors and more active dispatch staff would enable reduced station dwell times and increased train frequencies.”
Next steps
If transport secretary Chris Grayling provides a written agreement in principle signalling his intention to devolve rail services to TfL, the organisation will then begin to engage with the DfT on detailed planning and mobilisation – including kick-starting the procurement of a TfL operating concession.
The process of devolving services has typically taken a minimum of two years. While this does not provide enough time to implement the devolution of services to/from Waterloo, provision for services to transfer “ideally needs to be included within the new DfT franchise that starts in 2017”.
TfL said it has already “thoroughly prepared” the technical ground to enable this devolution process. Typically, this includes establishing a joint project board involving TfL, the DfT and the incumbent operator, supported by a project manager for each organisation and a series of working groups on specific issues.
“Issues would include defining the precise boundaries of the transfer and agreeing the split of resources, staff and liabilities between the new TfL-appointed suburban operator and the DfT longer distance operator,” said Powell.
“In parallel, both we and the DfT would need to undertake procurement exercises for their respective new train operating companies, so that they were in place to take over services from the incumbent when the existing franchise ended.”
Subject to agreement from its board next week, TfL will publish jointly with the DfT a detailed analysis of the findings of its engagement exercise on the proposals, once this is agreed by Grayling and London mayor Sadiq Khan.
Assurances needed
When the idea was first floated in January, TfL and the DfT published a prospectus for devolution seeking the views of external organisations. The document identified three shared “principles for success”: more frequent services, better interchanges and increased capacity; greater reliability for all passengers; and high standards of customer service.
The prospectus received almost 200 written responses, almost 75% of which were positive “in principle” albeit seeking further assurances that governance arrangements will be sound and that fares and frequency will not be negatively affected.
According to Powell, TfL believes these assurances can all be met, with some already covered by the safeguards agreed with Kent County Council. Surrey and Hertfordshire county councils have also made clear they support the proposals.
Financially, it is expected that the process will not incur any additional costs in the DfT’s overall level of premium or support, and any relevant transition costs will be paid for by TfL, as would service enhancements.
(Top image c. mattbuck)