Andy McDonald MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, commenting on the launch of a consultation into the South Eastern franchise, said:

“Under the Tories, punctuality has fallen to a 10 year low, passenger satisfaction is plummeting, fares have risen three times faster than wages and promised upgrades have been delayed by years or scrapped altogether. Privatised rail has failed and it will take more than tinkering around the edges to deliver much needed improvements for passengers. 

“Despite TfL having a track record of improving passenger services when given the responsibility, the Transport Secretary reneged on a deal for suburban rail services, including Southeastern, to come under public control because he wanted to keep ‘rail services out of the clutches of any future Labour mayor’. If Chris Grayling is serious about improving suburban services, he should stop playing politics, act in the interests of passengers and honour his predecessor’s agreement with Boris Johnson to bring those services into TfL control.”