It appears that the TFL network is currently undergoing an unprecedented crisis largely caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the following government underfunding of the London transport network.
It is expected that most plans for new improvements and additions to this transport network will be halted, with only the funds acquired being used to carry out the necessary repairs.
Transport for London warns it's on the brink of 'managed decline' if it fails to secure £1.7bn government funding for the next 18 months. More than 100 bus routes could be axed, almost 1 in 10 tube services cut and the Rotherhithe tunnel closed. @itvlondon
— Simon Harris (@simonharrisitv) November 17, 2021
Sadiq Khan said on a statement: “This would mean fewer, less frequent and more run-down bus and tube services for Londoners, making it more difficult to travel around the city. It would also mean more road and tunnel closures due to a lack of funding to maintain key transport infrastructure.”
If the required funds are not provided to finance the London transport service, The Mayor of London has announced that the London Underground is likely to reduce its operations by around 9% along with the further reduction of public bus routes by a larger percentage.
There is no UK economic recovery without a London recovery.
There is no London recovery without a properly funded public transport network in the capital.
If the Govt fails to work with us to protect TfL, London & the whole country will pay the price. https://t.co/KMgpeFLwv2
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) November 18, 2021
This is how some Twitter users reacted to the news:
"There can be no national economic recovery without a London recovery, and there can be no London recovery without a properly-funded public transport network." Perfectly said by @SadiqKhan. The London transport system is not a political football. https://t.co/ECCVVDgcwz
— Mike Hakata (@mikehakata) November 18, 2021
So we will have less funding for public transport meaning prices go up from less demand and people go to driving cars; but the new ULEZ zone means driving a car in London becomes more expensive. How are Londoners supposed to do anything without being ripped off
— Marz 🇯🇲 (@MYMxrz) November 18, 2021
There’s a story somewhere about what the Mayor of London released his cataclysmic warning on the future of London transport yesterday. Its got very little coverage – no mention on #bbcr4today. But a threat to all major capital projects, and a cut of 20-25% in services is shocking
— Ian Patterson (@ianpatterson99) November 19, 2021
We will have to wait until December 11, once the emergency funding deal ends for further updates on the London transport service cuts.
Words by Saray Ramiro Fernandez | Subbing by Tia Janowski