'We need transparency' - Caroline Pidgeon AM

9.15.00am GMT Fri 24th Oct 2008

Commenting on the news that former Metronet workers are to formally become London Underground employees Caroline Pidgeon AM, the transport spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats at the London Assembly, says: "It may well make for better management for former Metronet employees to become London Underground staff but taxpayers will still want accountability.

"They'll want to be able to judge whether vital maintenance and upgrade work is value for money under London Underground and how their performance compares with private-sector Tube Lines.

"Most of all we need transparency."

Caroline's comments come after LU announced that as a first step in the process of ensuring LU and Metronet work together in the most effective and efficient way that Metronet companies and their employees will transfer to London Underground to create a single organisation within TfL responsible for operating, maintaining and renewing the Tube.1

LU has announced that talks with the trade unions will be starting shortly and the whole process should be starting in early December.