Sadiq Khan refuses to commit to reversing ‘shocking’ Tube ticket office closures
Sadiq Khan will not commit to re-opening ticket offices on the London Underground, despite describing their closure by Boris Johnson as "shocking".
The Labour mayoral candidate had repeatedly condemned Johnson's axing of ticket offices, saying their closure would make Londoners less safe and have a "devastating effect on the daily commute."
Johnson originally promised to oppose all closures when first running for mayor in 2008, but broke his promise once in office. His decision has since prompted a series of strikes by London Underground workers.
Speaking in 2013, Khan urged the mayor to "not go ahead with these plans that ignore the needs and safety of local residents."
Responding to plans to close ticket offices in his own Tooting constituency, he said: "These shocking plans will make using London Underground much more difficult and less safe."
Quoting Johnson's own 2008 manifesto, he added: "There is little financial, strategic or common sense in these closures."
However, Khan's manifesto published today does not commit to re-opening a single ticket office. Khan instead promises to "examine the impact" of the closures and "explore what could be done at key locations to ensure everyone is able to purchase tickets."
He has previously proposed a "moratorium" on further ticket office closures. However, the vast majority of offices have already been closed. TfL figures obtained by the website Mayorwatch reveal that 247 stations have already lost their ticket offices with around a third of the remaining 17 offices not operated by TfL. No pledge for a moratorium is included in Khan's manifesto released today.
