Forum Topic

Disgraceful London Mayor

Despite being asked to up the level of trains during rush hour at the recent COBRA meeting to keep people apart, the mayor still refuses.There is currently a 20-30 min tube service throughout the day on many lines with NO extra tube trains in rush hour. This is when many key workers are mainly travelling.This video clip from North Acton this morning is typical of a working class area with a high population of key workers.https://twitter.com/itvlondon/status/1244570789044723718

Mike Essam ● 2262d19 Comments

They can't always open all the stations that they want to or run all the trains that they want to.How many people should and could have changed their journeys but are still running on automatic pilot?

Philippa Bond ● 2257d

https://tfl.gov.uk/campaign/coronavirus-covid-?intcmp=62419There are essential maintenance services that need to be carried out on a lot of buildings.You may also find the workers are members of the same family or live in the same accommodation.

Philippa Bond ● 2257d

TFL staff are probably in the queue for testing - so shouldn't be long! 2022 perhaps!

Ed Robinson ● 2258d

I think Simon that the reason train drivers can’t or won’t switch lines is the RMT.  The RMT would probably use health and safety as an excuse but if doctors and nurses can be deployed where needed it shows train drivers have jobs that should be automated.  In times of great need people need to be flexible if they can’t technology or machines will take over the roles.

Robert Wheeler ● 2258d

Richard: You're right re Khan. Much as I think he's a useless piece of $h1T right now given with what's occuring isn't the time to express.Tubes: Why can't drivers be switched to other lines? Are they just overpaid chimps incapable of making small adjustments?

Simon Knight ● 2258d

Mr EssamSurely the root of the problem is that TfL have (or claim to have) an insufficient number of staff, not just drivers but also those required in control rooms and on concourses, to run a full and safe service. A large number are off sick with the virus or are self isolating as requested by the Government to do.Even Boris as Mayor could not alter that situation though of course he was prescient in building the Cable Car from Greenwich to the ExCel Centre.Spot on for transferring Covid patients from South London !

John Hawkes ● 2258d

Good to see sensible answers to the issue of overcrowding on the tube; another factor is that drivers are usually trained to work on specific lines and cannot be switched willy nilly on to other lines. Or perhaps someone will suggest they drive buses instead? Whether or not they've got public service licences?Time to end these slimy attacks on Sadiq, some people need to get a life.

Richard Carter ● 2262d

"He prefers to make excuses."So what is Johnson's excuse for inaction then? He can either take over TFL and run a full service (!), or he can actually dare to enforce lockdown for construction workers and others who feel unable to stop for financial reasons. What is his excuse? After all, TFL and Crossrail have temporarily shut down their construction sites, and I'd imagine that they really are very important projects.

David Ainsworth ● 2262d

One doesn't need an infection rate of 33%, it's those staying away who are self isolating in line with government instructions that presumably make up the numbers?Obviously, if comprehensive testing had been made available at an early stage it would be possible to ascertain who had the disease and who did not so those in the clear could work?I can't see any case for continuing work on any residential building works provided they've been made safe. Construction of hospitals and other health or care facilitated seem to be to only essential building work?

Michael Ixer ● 2262d

Great idea Nick but it appears to be beyond Khan's understating. He prefers to make excuses.

Sue Hammond ● 2262d

I rather suspect its as much a case of tube drivers and station workers staying away.  33% is a pretty high infection rate compared to the general population.  Even if its true why are they not running large numbers of buses instead - there's no traffic so they'd be just as efficient as tubes and could pick up the capacity shortfall.

Nick Parker ● 2262d

"The Mayor’s political opponents are using this as a battering ram for their own purposes.  Does anyone really think he is recklessly putting lives at risk?  I mean, think about it, really?  Just how irresponsible would that be?"Wouldn't be a vote-winner.

David Ainsworth ● 2262d

I agree with you Jonathan. Also, I thought these decisions were taken in conjunction with TfL and, supposedly, the Department for Transport. It is true that construction work continues but there are many people who have to go to work (i.e. staff at chemist shops which include pharmacists, supermarket staff, police, fire brigade, hospital staff, staff working in banks, among others).   

Ivonne Holliday ● 2262d

"It is time for the Government to stop asking Khan, but to order him to increase capacity on the tube service."So you have to wonder why they do not do that. They certainly outgun him.

David Ainsworth ● 2262d

Yes Jonathan - anything to have a good old dig at the London mayor. Why aren't  people  staying at home? Not all of these  commuters are in essential jobs.

Lucille Grant ● 2262d

A large number of these unnecessary journeys are being made by construction workers who have no other means of traveling to their sites. It's the government which needs to ban all inessential construction. So far they have refused to do this.

Jane Carter ● 2262d

I think if you read further on this topic the Mayor is saying that staff shortages and sicknesses prevent a fuller service being run. There is also the issue about the number of people still undertaking unnecessary journeys. The Mayor’s political opponents are using this as a battering ram for their own purposes.  Does anyone really think he is recklessly putting lives at risk?  I mean, think about it, really?  Just how irresponsible would that be?

Jonathan Callaway ● 2262d

Khan is being extremely reckless.🤬 He is putting so many people in danger of catching Covid-19 and of spreading the infection on these vastly overcrowded trains.  It is time for the Government to stop asking Khan, but to order him to increase capacity on the tube service.  If he still refuses to address this issue he should be removed from office and Grant Shapps' department take over.

Sue Hammond ● 2262d

What a shame that Boris Johnson has no power.

David Ainsworth ● 2262d