Transport for London resume Underground maintenance contract
news14th September 2016
A bold move to save tens of millions of pounds on maintenance work sees a contract move from Spanish firm Amey to the public sector. The contract makes Transport for London (TfL) once more responsible for one hundred Tube stations and over two hundred trains, plus over two thousand bridges and other essential structures, such as staircases and lifts.
Directors at TfL say they expect savings in the region of £80 million to be made over the next decade thanks to the change of contract. An in-house management team will now carry out maintenance work on the Capital's three major tube lines.
London Underground is no stranger to looking after its own. It effectively managed in-house systems following the demise of maintenance contractors Metronet back in 2007. London Underground claims that under its management Tube running costs reduced and efficiency and reliability improved year on year.
Through a public-private partnership (PPP) contract, Amey have been responsible for Tube maintenance for the last 13 years; this contract comes to an end in the winter of 2017.
The Mayor of London has praised the decision, saying that he was “proud” that TfL were provided public sector jobs.
General secretary Mick Cash of the National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers (RMT) was equally delighted. He said: “This is a massive victory for RMT in terms of the fight to end profiteering and privatisation on London Underground.
“It makes no sense at all having maintenance work hived off to private operators and RMT will continue the fight across the rail industry for these works.”
Mark Wild, Managing Director for London Underground, said: “We are carrying out a review of our business to cost less and make transport in London more affordable for our customers.”
Written by Ian Johnson
