Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government why they rejected the application by Transport for London to manage inner suburban rail services south of the Thames; and what evidence they have to support that decision.

The Mayor of London presented a business case for the devolution of suburban London services on the South Eastern franchise. This was scrutinised by Departmental officials, analysing the costs and benefits of the proposal including the impact on the South Eastern franchise and the forthcoming competition.

Our analysis highlighted a number of uncertainties in the business case particularly around the operational risks associated with splitting the franchise, and around the benefits that were being claimed.