Mayor bids to take on Brockley trains

Earlier this week, Ken Livingstone outlined his proposed transport strategy for a potential third term. Top of his agenda was taking the Southern Trains service for London under the wing of Transport for London. This would include the overland train service between Brockley and London Bridge / Charing X.

Supporters of the scheme believe that the plan would deliver a more integrated public transport service for South London, with the Mayor be able to specify the minimum services the operator would need to provide (particularly at off-peak times, when there is spare capacity on the network). Other potential benefits include the ability to increase investment on the London commuter lines. It could also improve the integration of fares, ticketing and marketing.

TfL has already funded additional services and infrastructure, including Southern's new CCTV system and control room.

Obviously Ken's ability to implement any of this is far from assured...

Meanwhile, the Lib Dems today agreed that MPs and London Assembly members should start actively lobbying to make the proposed East London Line extension to Clapham Junction a reality.

More stuff on trains (this time the Crofton Park ones) coming up, when we think you can all stomach any more articles about them.