Transport for LondonMayor's plans for suburban railways revolution
With the exception of the London Overground network, rail services in the Capital are currently provided by private train operating companies, each with their own franchise agreement with central Government.
The Mayor believes this has led to a less efficient network, ticket price confusion and varying service quality standards.
Under TfL's management, passengers would benefit from more frequent and reliable services, simpler ticketing, cleaner and safer stations, and better standards of customer service.
The Mayor said that giving TfL control over the franchises would save millions of pounds which could then be reinvested into further improvements to the network.
More than 100 stations have been earmarked for upgrades, including Bexleyheath, Shortlands, Kidbrooke, Herne Hill, Catford, Denmark Hill, Turkey Street (Enfield), Clapton (Hackney), Stamford Hill, Bethnal Green and Highams Park.
The proposals have been submitted as part of the Department for Transport's consultations on rail decentralisation and fares.
The Mayor said: 'London's rail passengers deserve far better service than the current franchises deliver and the economic benefits of properly investing in our rail infrastructure are huge.
'This plan gives us the opportunity to create a truly joined-up suburban railway system that would vastly improve service and deliver better stations. A more coherent London-wide structure would bring more frequent trains, safer stations and sanity to a mind-bogglingly complex fare system.'
