KHOODEELAAR! Tells Boris Johnson: You should mean what the hyped reports say you are saying

2030 Hrs GMT
London Tuesday 25 August 2009:

KHOODEELAAR! Tells Boris Johnson: You should mean what the hyped reports say you are saying... For a long time tout for Big Business, it is exceedingly rare for you to be linked with any criticism of Bechtel, let alone an outright denunciation of it... even the OTT red-hyped faked socialist Ken Livingstone, who has spent 40 years lying and faking all across London, has been unable to condemn Bechtel. So it is a minor moment of history that an arch Right-winger like you should be mentioned as being critical of BECHTEL which typifies the behaviour that all right-wingers will be proud of... robbing the public for private profit.....so we shall be watching your next moves....

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http://www.contractjournal.com/Articles/2009/08/25/70913/mayor-boris-bashes-bechtel.html

Mayor Boris bashes Bechtel
12:55 25 Aug 2009
By Grant Prior
Mayor of London Boris Johnson has blasted Tube Lines for delays in improvement work on the Jubilee Line.
Johnson described the delays as "unacceptable" as Transport for London (TfL) published its annual London Underground PPP Report today.
It makes clear TfL's diminishing confidence in the ability of Tube Lines and its key shareholder and contractor Bechtel to deliver the upgrade of the Jubilee line by the contractual date - the end of December this year.
When delivered, the upgrade of the Jubilee line will mean more frequent and reliable Tube services.
But TfL now harbours grave doubts over Tube Lines and Bechtel's ability to deliver by the end of December, based on their current progress.
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This is despite TfL agreeing to extra weekend closures of the line, often at great inconvenience to Londoners and many businesses.
TfL is now calling on Tube Lines and Bechtel to undertake an independent review of their programme, in order to give TfL confidence in a clear and credible plan to deliver the upgrade as soon as possible.
Johnson said: "London Underground has been making excellent progress with its programme of improvements.
"But Tube Lines must get its act together if Londoners are to benefit from faster, more frequent and reliable services on the Jubilee line.
"I am hugely frustrated at their progress to date, which is simply unacceptable.
"Tube Lines' hunger for more Jubilee line closures has stretched the patience of Londoners and business almost to breaking point. Before we can consider any more disruption, we must have confidence they will deliver."
LU Managing Director, Richard Parry said: "Overall, Tube performance has continued to improve over the last year, but it is the new trains and signalling systems delivered by the line upgrades that will give us the step-change improvements in frequency and reliability in future.
"We've made good progress towards the Victoria line upgrade with the first new train now in passenger service.
"The new trains for the Circle, District, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City lines are now on our test-track and the vital new signalling contract is out to tender.
"This makes Tube Lines and Bechtel's lack of progress on the Jubilee line even more disappointing and it is their responsibility to get this vital work completed.
"We have already provided Tube Lines and Bechtel with a number of extra weekend closures over and above that required by the PPP contracts, which has greatly inconvenienced passengers and businesses. But still they seek more.
"Regrettably, we now harbour grave doubts over Tube Lines and Bechtel's ability to deliver the upgrade of the Jubilee line by the end of December, which they are contracted to do.
"It is now vital that they independently review their programme, so they can present us with a clear and credible path to delivery as soon as possible.
"Their reputation hinges upon meeting this commitment to delivery."
LU's PPP Report covers Tube performance under the PPP structure for the financial year 2008/09.
It demonstrates an improved performance for Tube customers on many measures and records good progress by Tube Lines in other areas, such as station renewal and particularly improved reliability on the Northern line.
It also shows improved performance by LU on virtually all performance measures on the former Metronet-maintained lines.
Such performance enabled LU to carry more passengers last year than ever before, over 1.1 billion, and achieve record customer satisfaction.
Key issues highlighted in LU's PPP Annual Report include:
The preservation of the line upgrades alongside the removal of £2.5bn in costs on the former Metronet lines, through the renegotiation of contracts that did not offer best value for money, changes to the scope and timing of work and removing around 1,000 jobs that were duplicated, following the transfer to LU
Good progress towards delivery of the Victoria line upgrade, with the first new train now running during passenger service
Engagement with Tube Lines over the cost of second period PPP works continues, as we seek a realistic and affordable price for the full scope of improvement works as set out by LU in its Restated Terms