Ministers have been urged to reverse cuts to the Transport for London budget amid concerns that the agency is facing a substantial funding gap.
An internal TfL email reported last week by BBC London cites the loss of a £700m annual government grant as one of several factors contributing to a feared loss of “£968m” next year.
While TfL downplays its impact, London Assembly members have separately warned that Mayor Sadiq Khan’s fare freeze is denying the agency the funds it needs.
As well as suspending the planned purchase of new trains, TfL has also reduced spending on track replacements and maintenance at London Underground.
Bus services are also being reduced and ticket offices on the London Overground are set to be axed.
In light of the BBC’s report, the RMT union has called on the government to “immediately” reinstate the grant, which it claims is needed “to protect safety and services.”
General Secretary Mick Cash said: “Our members who operate transport in the Capital are telling us loud and clear that this funding crisis will have a severe impact on safety and services if action isn’t taken urgently.
“This crisis in funding will also have a major impact on jobs and the economy in London which would ripple out across the South East and the rest of the country.
“We don’t need politicians of any political colour using this issue as a political football, we need action now to reinstate London’s transport grant to at least its previous levels as an absolute minimum.”
