"Don't keep us in the dark", plead passengers

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 19th Apr 2000

2,000 REPLY TO GEOFF POPE'S PUBLIC TRANSPORT SURVEY

Passengers in south west London are tired of being kept in the dark when Tube, bus and rail services are late or cancelled, a major new survey has revealed.

More than 2,000 commuters living or working in Hounslow, Richmond, and Kingston have shared their public transport frustrations and hopes with Liberal Democrat south west London assembly candidate Geoff Pope during the last few months.

The survey reveals widespread frustration with signal failures and late or cancelled services - a problem made far worse by a lack of information about alternative services and the causes of the problems.

Almost 80 per cent want London Underground hours extended to at least 2am - many want an all night service.

And in a major blow to Government and Conservative Party plans to privatise the Tube, only 10 per cent thought the same measure had improved the railways. At some stations the figure was as low as 5 per cent.

Geoff Pope and Susan Kramer, Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of London, launched the results today (Wed April 19) at Kew Bridge and Feltham stations.

Geoff Pope said: "The response to my survey has been phenomenal. With a recent poll showing I can win on May 4th, I look forward to taking this invaluable information to the London Assembly and using it to change things for the better.

"I will also take the findings to Railtrack, London Transport, and the bus and rail companies to demand improvements."

Susan Kramer said: "Passengers have told us that rail privatisation has failed. I am determined that the same mistake will not be made with the Tube. That's why I oppose Labour and Tory plans for privatisation and instead plan to fund it by a bond issue."

Other major issues to emerge from the survey include:

• Only 30 per cent of Tube passengers and 55 per cent of bus passengers say they get value for money from the service

• Passengers on the Hounslow Loop Line say their service is "the poor relation of South West Trains", with inadequate facilities, frequent cancellations, and hardly any trains

• The rail companies' tough fare enforcement policies are backed by 70 per cent of passengers, despite the inconvenience

• Passengers feel insecure at stations, but safe once they are actually on the buses and Tube trains

• Rail passengers want fares cut - even if taxes increase as a result