London’s rail network is set to be radically transformed from November when ‘London Overground’ services commence operation on the North London Railway.
Services will be delivered by MTR Laing under contract to Transport for London. The contract has been described “tightly managed” and, it is claimed, will deliver far-reaching improvements including a total of £1.4bn of investment, more staff, new trains, a vastly upgraded service, and refurbished and new stations.
The Mayor of London will set fares and revenue will be retained by Transport for London for reinvestment in the transport network.
Passengers will benefit from the provision of Oyster card readers at all stations and are promised a fleet of new trains between Gospel Oak and Barking from 2009 in addition to the 44 new London Overground electric trains already ordered by TfL.
Speaking today Mayor Livingstone said the contact “paves the way for the radical revitalisation of London’s rail services, which have suffered from years of neglect and under-investment.”
The Mayor promised the new services will “provide passengers with the levels of staffing, safety and security and customer service that they deserve.”
The new service will run through 20 of London’s 33 boroughs. and comprises the North London Railway and the East London Railway once open in June 2010.
