Memorandum by the Corporation of London
(LU 06)
PERFORMANCE OF LONDON UNDERGROUND
1. It is understood that the committee is
examining four areas of performance under the PPP: whether it
has delivered an acceptable level of performance for customers;
whether safe operation has been maintained; whether it has provided
value for money; and, whether operation has been effectively coordinated
between Transport for London (TfL), London Underground Ltd (LUL)
and the Infracos. The Corporation of London is not in a position
to judge safety and value for money elements of the PPP so the
comments below are limited to performance and coordination from
the Corporation's perspective.
PERFORMANCE
2. The Corporation has not noticed any deterioration
in performance due to the PPP system, but an apparent higher level
of line closures, particularly the District Line within the City
of London, has been an inconvenience to passengers. It is accepted,
however, that these closures are predominantly due to improvements
that are being made to the track. As long as these closures are
well coordinated and managed they need not be seen as a negative
factor.
3. There are other examples of improvements
to passengers' experiences on the network, particularly the reduced
number of trains in service with graffiti and reduced litter on
trains. The Corporation has no evidence of any problems with the
passenger/staff interface under the new system.
COORDINATION
4. Corporation officers have noticed a marked
improvement in this area since this introduction of the PPP. Whilst
the precise reason for this is not clear, it has been suggested
that this may be due to the London Underground staff now being
more focused on one aspect of the business.
5. On day-to-day issues London Underground
has been much more open and allowed Corporation officers to have
direct contact with line managers where necessary to discuss particular
issues. In particular, LUL responded promptly to address a specific
issue regarding a problem with drainage at Waterloo. When severe
disruption occurs LUL has introduced a system under which Corporation
officers are telephoned. Whilst this arrangement is still experiencing
teething difficulties, it is a welcome step. In addition, the
Corporation continues to have regular meetings with a liaison
officer from LUL. This is a longstanding arrangement with which
the Corporation is very satisfied. The introduction of the PPP
did not appear to have any negative effect on this officer's ability
to deal with concerns effectively.
6. LUL staff have been proactive about informing
the Corporation of arrangements during closures, and officers
were given the opportunity to comment on the information given
to customers about alternative routes for each of the stations
during the District Line closure. The Corporation has found it
useful to be able to give comment and for officers to be informed
of arrangements.
7. Corporation officers were initially frustrated
by late notice of closures or service alterations at a stage when
it was often too late for substantial input. This was particularly
found to be a problem with the early termination of the Great
Northern trains into Moorgate to allow escalators at this station
to be replaced. To the credit of the LUL staff, once it was acknowledged
that the Corporation had a valid interest in this issue, they
were happy to attend meetings with the Corporation and provide
officers with their modelling of passenger movements around the
station until the Corporation was satisfied that the best compromise
was being taken forward. Since that time, LUL have been more amenable
and officers have been pleased to have been notified at an early
stage on matters such as the closures on the Waterloo and City
Line planned for next year. Corporation officers are hopeful that
this positive attitude to partnership working will continue into
the future.
8. On longer term issues, Corporation officers
have found LUL staff very willing to work in partnership to evaluate
possible future scenarios. There has already been some work to
develop a masterplan for Bank station and a joint a horizon study
looking at possible longer term improvements on the Waterloo and
City Line is planned for next year.
City Remembrancer's Office
December 2004
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