Managed decline

[roverlei]

I'm a daily Picc line commuter. Since September 2022, the Picc has been plagued by signal failures, especially at Ranyers, Acton Town, Ealing and Barons Court. The rolling stock is also suffering heavily from graffiti attacks, or they're not being cleaned up as fast as they used to be.

Everyone knows TfL is struggling for cash, but has the Picc been put into a state of managed decline?

[miff]

I doubt if anyone’s made such a conscious decision, but that’s exactly what happens when, for a long period, there is insufficient money for the required level of care & maintenance.

[stapler]

And happened in trumps through the 1980s...

[jimbo]

There is still no long-term funding deal. Things are not easily turned around. Work forces lost have to be built up and trained again. I think LU are in a five-year 'managed decline' period with hopes of building back over the following five years! The Picc was promised a line upgrade under PPP by 2010-12. The first new train is still a couple of years away, with the full fleet for 27tph by 2027. But with the current signalling since a new system is unfunded and five or more years away. The signal control system was renewed at South Kensington a few years back, but it controls the original points and signals out on the line.

[metman]

If you see the Bakerloo’s 1972 stock they are in terrible shape externally and look very unloved, probably for the same reasons as stated above.

[Chris M]

Certainly the Picc has not been singled out, the whole system is showing the consequences of political decisions made by central government regarding TfL's budget. If you don't like those consequences then remember that next time you visit the ballot box.

[roverlei]

Believe me, mate, I've never needed convincing on that front ever before! :-)

[Tom]

Apr 16, 2023 22:18:49 GMT Chris M said:

Certainly the Picc has not been singled out, the whole system is showing the consequences of political decisions made by central government regarding TfL's budget. If you don't like those consequences then remember that next time you visit the ballot box.

I would be more inclined to suggest that this isn't uncommon when an older stock is on borrowed time. The external appearance of A stock, and to a lesser extent C stock, also seemed to suffer as replacement drew near.

[metman]

Just a gentle reminder to keep the politics out of it please….

[spsmiler]

I think its more of a Treasury issue here - if the Underground could fund everything* out of fares revenues and other commercial income (ground rent, etc) then things would be different.

*including extensions, although there is perhaps a social case for state investment in this area, we already know that there is a commercial case for local businesses to pay something too.

For new trains what I understand to be an old idea is to apportion some of all fares income to a special fund so that when new rolling stock is required the finance is there - without borrowings, etc.

[1018509]

It's got to be said that the decline of the Piccadilly line started shortly after I retired as a train maintainer at Northfields depot - nuff said!!!!!