London Transport Executive (GLC)

Background and formation

The Greater London Council came into its powers in 1965, but did not have authority over public transport. Responsibility for such provision had been removed from the London County Council and neighbouring authorities in 1933 and passed to the London Passenger Transport Board. The Transport (London) Act 1969 gave the GLC powers over the London Underground and London Buses, but not over British Rail services in Greater London.

Fares policy

The GLC aimed to increase usage of public transport, especially in Outer London, where car use was high. Fare setting policy was used to increase patronage on the London Underground and London Buses, particularly during less busy times. Following successful legal action against it, on 21 March 1982 London Buses fares were doubled and London Underground fares increased by 91%. The two central area zones were retained and the fares to all other stations were restructured to be graduated at three mile intervals; and thus grouping those stations within three miles of the central zones in an 'inner zone'. In 1983, after further legal action, a third revision of fares was undertaken, and a new inter-modal Travelcard season ticket was launched covering five new numbered zones; representing an overall cut in prices of around 25%. The off-peak One Day Travelcard was launched in 1984 and on weekdays was sold for travel after 09.30.

Chairmen

• Sir Richard Way, 1970–1975
• Sir Kenneth Robinson, 1975–1978
• Ralph Bennett, 1978–1980
• Sir Peter Masefield, 1980–1982
• Sir Keith Bright, 1982–1984

Abolition and legacy

The GLC was abolished in 1986, however transport powers had been removed two years earlier and transferred to London Regional Transport. Responsibility for public transport returned to local government in London in 2000, with the creation of the Greater London Authority and the Transport for London executive agency. The inter-modal zonal fare system devised during this period continues to be used throughout Greater London and is broadly unchanged.

References

References

1. Monopolies and Mergers Commission. (1991). "London Underground Limited: A report on passenger and other services supplied by the company".
2. Tony Grayling & Stephen Glaister. (2000). "A new fares contract for London".
3. (1982). "New Tube fares from 21st March, by unknown artist, 1982". London Transport.
4. Roberts, Frank. (22 October 1969). "GLC to get transport free of £250m debt". [[The Times]].
5. Warman, Christopher. (12 June 1974). "Mr Kenneth Robinson's transport post causes dispute between party leaders". [[The Times]].
6. (November 2009). "Ralph Featherstone Bennett". [[A & C Black]]/[[Oxford University Press]].
7. (4 February 1978). "Transport chief to go". [[The Times]].
8. (December 2007). "Sir Peter Masefield". [[A & C Black]]/[[Oxford University Press]].
9. Eccelstone, Jacob. (13 August 1980). "Sir Peter at the wheel for London Transport". [[The Times]].
10. Baily, Michael. (18 May 1982). "Top LT job is offered to food firm man". [[The Times]].