[x-posted to utl, original thread on uk.r]

On 21/03/2012 09:07, Neil Williams wrote:

On Mar 20, 9:09 pm, Mizter wrote:

(FWIW in London it took a long time until there was a Peak Day
Travelcard, now called the Anytime Day Travelcard - whilst LT was
interested in such a product, the 'big railway' wasn't, so LT launched
their "LT Card", a one-day card valid during the morning peak but only
good for travel on LT services - the Peak/Anytime Day Travelcard
superseded this.)

One thing I never "got" about London is why it didn't have PTE-like
powers over local rail (i.e. ticket validity plus control of services
within the boundary). But I think that's what Boris and Ken are
campaigning for, no?

Yes. It was on the agenda some years ago under Ken's mayoralty, but I
think baby steps prevailed - TfL did get control of Silverlink Metro,
now London Overground, and that's been a great success. TfL also had a
lot of input into the new (i.e. current) Southern franchise in terms of
improved service specifications for the Metro services, which has been
welcome. And TfL has funded or part-funded a variety of improvements to
suburban rail stations in London (though I'm not sure if that's really
happening much now with money being so tight). And yes, Boris has made
similar proposals of late, having had TfL commission a new study on the
matter.

There's a whole long history as to why the arrangements in London turned
out as it have - it's a legacy of many things. What I'm less clear on is
how much of a debate there was, if any, about a comprehensive 'London
PTE' that would include rail back in the late 60's when the PTA/PTE
concept was devised and the empowering legislation, the 1968 Transport
Act, was formulated.

(Sorry for hijacking the thread with talk of the Great Wen - subject
changed accordingly.)