Michael - a very illuminating article. These paragraphs in particular underline how Grant Shapps’ hands are all over the cut-backs in local buses among much else.“Up to 2015 central government provided £700M annually to TfL, but this was severely cut as the DfT’s resource was cut by 37% between 2015 and 2020. Prior to the pandemic, TfL was managing to survive on its own revenue. However, speaking at NCE’s Future of Rail conference, TfL commissioner Andy Byford said “in good times, that model just about worked”.The lack of funding from central government makes TfL unlike any other major transport operator in the world, but Byford would like to return to a place where cash is provided by the government on a long-term basis similar to Network Rail’s Control Periods and National Highways’ Road Investment Strategy periods. He said he would ideally like a 10-year settlement, but would settle for five or even three.”Nick
Nicholas Evans ● 1033d