London Mayor Sadiq Khan has hit back at Boris Johnson after the former Prime Minister blamed him for Transport for London's (TfL) pre-pandemic financial woes. Johnson claimed TfL was 'effectively bankrupt' before COVID-19, attributing this to Khan's policies and management.
The row reignites a long-standing feud between the two politicians over the funding of London's transport network, which includes the Tube, buses, and Overground services. Transport experts have warned that TfL's finances are precarious, with significant funding gaps exacerbated by pandemic-related passenger number drops and changes in commuting habits.
TfL has received multiple emergency government funding packages to keep services running, sparking debate over a sustainable long-term funding model for London's public transport. Khan's administration insists government cuts, including the removal of TfL's operational grant during Johnson's tenure as Mayor, were a major contributor to the financial difficulties.
Johnson's comments suggest he is seeking to shift blame from his own record in office to the current mayoral administration. The dispute highlights the complex interplay between central government funding, mayoral control, and the economic health of one of the world's largest public transport systems.
A spokesperson for Mayor Khan said: 'This is just another attempt by Boris Johnson to deflect responsibility from his own failures as Mayor.'