Lynne Featherstone

Local Liberal Democrats have expressed outrage at the Mayor of London's refusal to consider a proposal for a one hour ticket on London’s buses.

The refusal was made clear in a letter to Liberal Democrat London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon despite a campaign supported by over 2,000 Londoners and all London Assembly Members.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“It’s ridiculous that the Mayor will not even consider the idea of a one hour bus ticket. This is such a brilliant idea and it would have been a great green proposal to back in a bid to help Londoners cut their carbon footprint.

“I’m very disappointed at the Mayor’s disregard for the views and concerns of over 2,000 Londoners and all the London Assembly Members - with that kind of support it should have been given proper consideration but it clearly hasn’t.”

Martin Newton, Haringey Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson, adds:

“The Mayor's response is a hasty, knee jerk reaction that shows he is not prepared to look into a sensible proposal which would help cut congestion and give residents in Haringey and beyond an affordable alternative to using their cars.”

After a successful campaign by Liberal Democrats Lynne Featherstone MP and London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon to get a one hour ticket on London’s buses, the London Assembly last week unanimously voted in favour of the proposal, ensuring the Mayor of London will have to seriously consider the idea.

The cross-party agreement in the London Assembly for a one-hour ticket contrasted with Labour councillors in Haringey who last week blocked a motion supporting the same idea.

The suggestion, which would enable passengers to use more than one bus during a 60-minute period without paying more than £1.00, would be more affordable and convenient for Londoners who use public transport.

The unanimous vote in the London Assembly on Wednesday came after GLA Member Caroline Pidgeon presented the Mayor with a Liberal Democrat petition signed by 2000 Londoners.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“Travelling from one end of my constituency to the other is not only tricky, but can also get expensive if you use Oyster pay-as-you-go, as you have to change bus at least twice. Having a one-hour bus ticket is a brilliant idea and really makes sense, not least from a green point of view.

“But it is very disappointing that, unlike their Labour colleagues in the London assembly, Haringey Labour can’t put politics aside and support such a sensible, green idea that would really benefit local residents.”

Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson in the London Assembly adds:

“You can already switch from tube to tube on the same ticket, so it makes real sense to allow people to do the same with buses. It really is unfair that people who use Oyster pay-as-you-go have to pay a new fare every time they change buses.

"One hour bus tickets already operate successfully in Paris, Rome and Brussels. It is now time London caught up and gave bus users a fair deal."

Started the day campaigning at Alexandra Park Station to bring in Oyster Pay As You Go as soon as possible.

As well as Nigel Scott (our candidate for the by-election in Alexandra ward) and Alexandra Councillors Susan Oatway, Dave Beacham - we also had Caroline Pidgeon who is our Transport Spokesperson on the London Assembly and Denys Robinson Chair of London Region - so it was a big do!

Loads of people took our little petition postcard - so we will be able to keep up pressure on Transport for London (and the Train Operator) who have been a bit tardy with stations north of Finsbury Park in terms of Oyster PAYG. And other Liberal Democrat councillors were out at other stations like Harringay, Hornsey, Bowes Park etc. Onward and upward.

Then visited a delightful supported housing scheme in Wood Green - Raj Kunj - for residents of Asian community. They were so nice and raised lots and lots of issues - chief amongst which is the very short time the lights at the crossing outside their building allows them to get across the main road. Traffic comes whizzing down the main road - very dangerous I think.

Well - what to make of the results of the party's selection of our GLA (London Assembly) list candidates for next year?

This time round I wasn't standing (I finished third and top in the selections for 2000 and 2004, but stood down from the GLA when I became an MP), so it's been interesting to see the process from the outside.

I'm glad that the overall list is so well balanced in terms of men and women - good progress there - and with a good mix of people used to taking on not just the Tories but also Labour! It is also clear that those who (like myself previously!) started their selection campaigns well in advance of the process officially starting generally did well - Jeremy Ambache and Caroline Pidgeon particularly. Good to see hard work and campaigning bringing benefits.

Is it all good news then? Well with nine out of the eleven being white, there's bound to be some talk about the ethnic make-up of the list. There was a good range of candidates to choose from, so I hope those who weren't successful at getting on this list this time treat the result as a stepping stone to the future rather than as a permanent rebuff.

Finally, congrats to Monica for getting on the list, and best of luck to Wayne and Ajmal - the other two candidates from Haringey - for other selections.

... and off I go to Surrey Quays for a to meet a woman with a double buggy and the Lib Dem Deputy Leader of Southwark Council, Caroline Pidgeon.

The story is that bus drivers have discretion as to whether they let double buggies on unfolded or not. Now if you have two young babies/toddlers in a double buggy, how on earth are you supposed to get them out, keep them safe, fold the buggy and get all of that on the bus? It seemed this lady kept meeting bus drivers who exercised their discretion by driving off! Not good enough.

It was absolutely bucketing down and having fought my way from Highgate on the tube, I was not in high spirits. I got there early, rang a friend on my mobile and then when I came off the phone a message came through that the mother had rung Caroline to say one of the babies was ill and she couldn't come. It happens - but not a great start to December!