Received from: TSSA
Congress notes that Covid-19 exposed the broken funding model that finances Transport for London (TfL) and its provision of public transport services.
Unlike its equivalent in other major world capitals, TfL is reliant on fares income alone after the Conservative London mayor, now prime minister, agreed in 2016 to end the substantial support received from the UK government in the form of the General Operating Grant.
Since then, and without the anticipated revenue from the delayed Crossrail Elizabeth Line, Transport for London has been running a deficit, leading to cuts to services and a 20 per cent reduction in staff.
When the coronavirus pandemic hit the UK, ridership on London’s bus and Tube services plummeted, leading to the publicly run TfL having to approach the UK government for assistance amid fears that transport in London would have to be cut back.
Reluctant short-term support from the Tory government that only offset some of TfL’s funding issues initially came with strings that included increasing fares and the congestion charge. Subsequent short-term packages have required TfL to produce a financial sustainability plan and have imposed a requirement for a further £900m in savings on top of already planned cuts amounting to £730m. Those cuts include the introduction of driverless trains on London Underground and benefit changes to the TfL pension fund.
What TfL needs is a long-term funding settlement that gives it a secure future, and with this in mind, Congress instructs the General Council to add its voice to these calls.
Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association
Amendment
Add a final paragraph:
“Congress agrees to give full support for the fight against the Transport
for London cuts, including any industrial action affiliates may need call to defend their members jobs, conditions and pensions.”
National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers