PM blames Khan for TfL being ‘effectively bankrupted’ before pandemic

Boris Johnson has claimed Transport for London (TfL) was “effectively bankrupted” before coronavirus, and proposals to hike charges are “entirely the responsibility” of the capital’s Mayor Sadiq Khan.

He made the comments after Mr Khan accused the Government of “ill-advised and draconian” plans in return for a second bailout.

The Mayor said ministers want TfL to expand the £15 Congestion Charge Zone to the North and South Circular roads in 12 months’ time, which would see the zone cover around four million more Londoners.

The PM has lied to the House of Commons.

Before Covid I was fixing his mess at TfL- reducing the deficit by 71% since 2016.

Covid-19 is the sole cause of TfL’s challenges. The PM wants to increase fares, the C-Charge & taxes – & end free travel for children and older Londoners. https://t.co/EcVNVSSWjp

— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) October 21, 2020

The Government was also said to want to increase TfL fares by well above the inflation rate, and double down on demands to remove free travel for under-18s.

A further Government proposal is to introduce a new council tax charge in the capital, regardless of whether residents use public transport, said the mayor.

Mr Johnson told the Commons: “The current Mayor of London had effectively bankrupted TfL before coronavirus had even hit and left a massive black hole in its finances.

“Any need to make up that deficit is entirely down to him, it is entirely his responsibility.

“Any expansion of the congestion charge or any other measure taken to improve the finances of TfL are entirely the responsibility of the bankrupt current Labour Mayor of London.”

Mr Khan responded by declaring that the Prime Minister “has lied”.

"The govt is punishing the poorest Londoners for the pandemic…Ministers should stop playing politics and work with @TfL to ensure further safety measures are introduced to protect all transport workers and passengers" – Pete Kavanagh @UniteLondonEast https://t.co/mRyps4HCPc

— Unite the union: join a union (@unitetheunion) October 21, 2020

The Mayor, who succeeded Mr Johnson in the position in May 2016, said: “Before Covid I was fixing his mess at TfL- reducing the deficit by 71% since 2016.

“Covid-19 is the sole cause of TfL’s challenges.”

Mr Khan earlier told a meeting of TfL’s board that he intends to “stand firm and fight for a fair deal for Londoners”.

He went on: “TfL is being offered only another six months’ financial support, but with ill-advised and draconian conditions that are unfair to London, fall disproportionately on those least able to afford them, would undermine the economic recovery of our city, and contrast starkly with the support provided to the private train operating companies.

“This global pandemic will be with us for some time. We requested an 18-month support package to see TfL through the immediate crisis and the aftermath, as it is uncertain how quickly fare revenue will recover.”

Shadow transport secretary Jim McMahon said: “It’s extremely worrying that despite repeated requests, the Government is offering only a papering-over-the-cracks funding package for Transport for London, with such punitive conditions.”

Trade union Unite’s regional secretary for London, Pete Kavanagh, said the Government is “punishing the poorest Londoners for the Covid-19 pandemic”.

He commented: “Londoners are facing a triple whammy of increased fares, higher council tax and a massive increase in congestion zone charges.

“The poorest Londoners, who are already struggling financially as a result of losing their jobs or coping with reduced earnings, are the ones who will be least able to afford the increases in fares, charges and council tax.”