Mr Livingstone has promised to introduce electric buses in a bid to reduce carbon emissions and to listen to the view of passengers in finding new ways “to improve the management of tube upgrades.”
Other commitments include a reintroduction of the Congestion Charge Western Extension which is set to be scrapped by the end of this year and the introduction of an emissions-based charging scheme for new cars entering the congestion charge zone.
Livingstone has also said he would consider ending the pay differential between bus drivers working for different bus operators in the capital by changing the tendering regime “so that bus workers’ wages are taken out of the competitive tendering process.”
Speaking to journalists the former Mayor, who lost to Boris Johnson in 2008, said: “In just two years fares have risen by record levels and in a tough economic climate the Mayor has wasted valuable time and millions of pounds trying to scrap the Western Extension of the Congestion Charge Zone and pet vanity projects including his costly New Bus and fantasy Thames airport.”
Livingstone, who is being challenged for the Labour nomination by former MP Oona King, promised to “put ordinary Londoners first” by “holding down fares and fighting tirelessly to protect investment in London’s transport system from the threat of government catastrophic cuts.”
The result of Labour’s ballot will be announced on September 22nd.
