Transport articles

‘It’s good to walk’ – Caroline Pidgeon

Commenting on the news that TfL’s journey planner website is being upgraded to show walking options, Caroline Pidgeon, the transport spokesperson for the Liberal Democrat Group at the London Assembly, says: “If we want to encourage people to be greener and healthier we need to show quick walking alternatives. And especially, given the current economic situation, some routes are quicker to walk and also save money." At this month’s Mayor’s Question Time Caroline asked if TfL’s website could be amended to which the Mayor replied:

18 September 2008 - 10:20pm

‘The world should be our Oyster’ – Caroline Pidgeon AM

Caroline Pidgeon AM, the Liberal Democrats' transport spokesperson at the London Assembly, joined forces with colleagues in Haringey this week to help launch a campaign for residents to be able to use their pay-as-you-go Oyster cards on local trains.

On Wednesday Caroline met up with Lynne Featherstone MP and Alexandra by-election candidate Nigel Scott at Alexandra Palace station.

Liberal Democrats are campaigning for Transport for London (TfL) and First Capital Connect to extend pay-as-you-go Oyster card travel to Harringay, Hornsey, Alexandra Palace and Bowes Park stations.

Caroline says: “It's encouraging we've finally heard there's movements in the right direction on this but what we need now is a commitment on an exact time frame to ensure PAYG is introduced on this line as soon as possible."

14 September 2008 - 8:06pm

Cross River Tram campaigners petition at City Hall

On Tuesday morning a busload of supporters of the Cross River Tram plans arrived en masse at City Hall for the Cross River Tram seminar.

The campaigners, who brought with them a petition of support for the proposed north-south tram link, were met at their journey's end by Caroline Pidgeon AM, the Liberal Democrats' transport spokesperson.

10 September 2008 - 9:57pm

‘Funding gap can be laid at Gordon Brown’s door’ – Caroline Pidgeon AM

Commenting on the revelation of a possible £2billion shortfall in the plans to upgrade three key tube lines Caroline Pidgeon, the transport spokesperson for the Liberal Democrat Group at the London Assembly, says: “This possible 'black hole' is something that can be laid directly at the feet of Gordon Brown.

“He was the Chancellor of the Exchequer who pushed through the ill-fated PPP project for London's Underground and that project has now cost London's hard pressed traveling public billions of pounds.

9 September 2008 - 9:28pm

‘Mayor throws a spanner in the works for Cross River Tram' – Caroline Pidgeon AM

Commenting on the news that Mayor Johnson will not be committing further funding for the Cross River Tram proposals, Caroline Pidgeon AM, the Liberal Democrats' transport spokesperson at the London Assembly, says: “Given how much work and money has already gone into this and given his transport strategy is still under review, it’s staggering the Mayor would say this when he’s not fully reviewed the case.

“The Transport committee will next week be reviewing the case and how the tram can be funded and will put this to the Mayor as a matter of urgency.”

4 September 2008 - 10:59pm

Action on dial-a-ride services

Over many months, Lib Dem Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon received serious complaints about the dial-a-ride services provided by Transport for London. On 3rd September Caroline met Paul Blackwell, General Manager of dial-a-ride, to discuss the many issues that had been raised by dial-a-ride users and to hear about what TfL are doing and have put in place to improve the service.

“It is quite clear that the centralisation of the service has caused huge problems, particularly in certain parts of London, and that their computer system has had real problems. I am trying to get to the bottom of how much the computer system has cost Londoners” commented Caroline.

“I have requested further statistics, going back as far as possible, so that I can really get a clear picture of the maximum length of time users are having to hold on the telephone before speaking to someone. We also need to know how often dial-a-ride are unable to provide a service.

4 September 2008 - 10:55pm

"Why do people have to die before action’s taken at accident black-spot?"– Caroline Pidgeon

Caroline Pidgeon AM, the Liberal Democrat deputy chair of the London Assembly’s transport committee, has given a cautious welcome to news of planned improvements to a notorious Islington road junction.

“The junction of Penton Rise and Pentonville Road in Islington has been known as a local death-trap for cyclists and pedestrians for years and I’m pleased something seems to be in hand to deal with the problem.

31 August 2008 - 9:34pm

Lessons from Croydon for the Cross River Tram

Caroline Pidgeon AM, the Liberal Democrat deputy chair of the London Assembly’s transport committee, has made a fact finding visit to the now well-established Croydon Tramlink along with a delegation from the transport committee.

Caroline says: "We can learn a lot from the Croydon tram experience and this will ensure the Cross River Tram is even more successful."

Commenting on the plans for the new tram to link London across the river she says:

26 August 2008 - 9:35pm

TfL’s rules on hybrid cars are ‘mindless red tape’ – Caroline Pidgeon

Caroline Pidgeon AM, the Liberal Democrat deputy chair of the London Assembly’s Transport Committee, says the hoops through which new owners of hybrid cars have to jump in order to avoid paying the congestion charge are “ridiculous.”

“It’s just more mindless red tape preventing Londoners trying to do their bit for the environment. Why the drivers of these cars have to take the trouble to inform TfL that their cars are bona fide hybrids is beyond me and is something I will be drawing to the Mayor’s and TfL’s attention at the soonest opportunity.”

7 August 2008 - 11:07pm

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