Sadiq Khan’s “mismanagement” of Transport for London (TfL) has meant that the Government has had to step in with a £250million rescue package to bailout the underground, the Conservatives have claimed.
Tory London Mayoral candidate Susan Hall has accused Labour’s Khan of treating Londoners “as a cash machine” with the way he has used transport as a way of raising cash to pay for the black hole he has created in TfL’s finances.
This includes hitting drivers in outer London with the hated £12.50 ULEZ daily tax on vehicles which do not qualify under his tight regulations.
Ms Hall said: “I am pleased that the Government has stepped in to ensure we get these upgrades, despite the Mayor of London’s wasteful spending.
“Sadiq Khan has spent too long treating Londoners like walking cash machines, ramping up taxes to cover his shoddy spending – he’s left London’s finances in a mess.”
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She added: “As London Mayor, I’ll sort out TfL’s finances and make sure Londoners get a better deal than they are under Sadiq Khan.”
The bailout has been agreed upon to fill in a shortfall in funding for key projects for the London transport network.
The department said the package will be used by TfL for projects such as providing new Tube trains for the Piccadilly line.
However, TfL is not allowed to spend the money on its day-to-day operations.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said that the cash had become necessary because Khan had left TfL short of money.
Mr Harper said: “This Conservative Government is providing London’s transport system with a £250m boost – following on from billions of support in recent years. The Government has expressed ongoing concern about the management of TfL by this Mayor, and it is disappointing that London taxpayers are having to foot the bill for the GLA’s poor governance and decision-making
“Our capital city deserves a Mayor who can balance the books without taxing the poorest motorists, or relying on taxpayers to prop them up.
“That’s why I’ll be backing Susan Hall to be the next Conservative Mayor of London at the election in May.”
London’s Transport Commissioner, Andy Lord, said: “Through a huge effort to reduce costs and rebuild our ridership and revenue following the pandemic, TfL is now on track to be financially sustainable in terms of its day-to-day operations.”
