The paper reports that the departure of transport secretary Justine Greening and her replacement by Patrick McLoughlin has seen civil servants take “advantage of the change in leadership to push for the plan to be abandoned.”
The Mayor has previously suggested savings of £100m could be made over 20 years if ministers back his plans, money he says could be used to improve stations and services.
Speaking last year the Mayor said Londoners “deserve far better service than the current franchises deliver”.
The London Overground, controlled by the Mayor through Transport for London, has seen passenger numbers and satisfaction levels soar since it replaced the Silverlink Metro service in 2007.
Mr Johnson’s calls for greater devolution have been backed by the Assembly and passenger watchdog London TravelWatch which also wants City Hall to have a greater role in setting National Rail fares.
A spokesperson for the Mayor told City A.M.: “Discussions with the government are continuing and the success of the London Overground management contract shows what can be achieved.”
