Payback time for Brent commuters?

Feb 9 2010 By Tara Brady

BRENT Council is considering asking the Mayor of London to refund commuters after three major tube lines serving the borough were out of action over the past two weekends.

The Jubilee, Bakerloo and Metropolitan lines were all shut or partially shut due to planned engineering work over January 30 and 31 and February 6 and 7.

The Jubilee line upgrade should have been completed last year. The Liberal Democrats believe Transport for London (TfL) is making the travel problems worse by allowing all three lines across Brent to be fully or partially closed at the same time.

Councillor Daniel Brown, Liberal Democrat transport spokesman, said: “Everyone wants better public transport, but allowing three lines across Brent to close at the same time shows a lack of joined up thinking at TfL and the Mayor’s Office. "It also adds insult to injury following the seriously over-running Jubilee Line works.

“The lack of any proper service is very frustrating for local people and Mayor Boris Johnson owes it to residents to explain why he has allowed it to happen.”

Mr Brown is considering asking the Mayor if he will make refunds on season tickets to Brent residents who have not had the proper service they paid for, similar to those offered by First Capital Connect recently.

Anyone who has experienced travel problems due to the triple closures should contact him at cllr.daniel.brown@brent.gov.uk