Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers has tackled Transport for London about reduced services on the Northern Line’s High Barnet branch during the evening rush hour.
Theresa met with Director of London Underground Mark Wild at Westminster to relay concerns from constituents about TfL's decision to run fewer services to the end of the line at peak times.
The discussion came after the Mayor’s decision to cancel an order for new rolling stock on the line – a move that will not improve commuters’ journeys.
“During the evening peak a significant number of services now turn back at Finchley Central rather than going all the way to High Barnet,” said Theresa.
“This is making it more difficult for people to get back from work in time to pick up children from after-school clubs. When it’s combined with trains becoming more crowded to cope with the new homes being built and reliability issues on the line, it’s causing real headaches.
“I urged TfL to restore these services and also consider how they can do more to tackle crowding and improve service reliability.
“It was candid of TfL to admit the timetable change was in part due to the decision not to press ahead with buying new trains for the Northern Line, although this adds to the disappointment. I am also pleased that TfL have promised me that they will take part in a ‘Meet the Manager’ meeting in the constituency to hear from passengers about their concerns.
“On the day I met with Mark, I had been stuck in the Northern Line delays following overnight track works on the Charing Cross branch of the Northern Line. I had the chance to complain to him directly and explain at first-hand why so many commuters are struggling to get home and are unhappy with overcrowding on the Northern Line.”