"Mayor accused of not having faith in public transport after £1,000 taxi bill
Danny Brierley
27.02.09
BORIS Johnson has been branded a “wimp” and accused of lacking faith in his public transport system after spending £1,000 of taxpayers' money on taxis after a public meeting.
The meeting — about Heathrow expansion in Hillingdon — was described as an environmental fight-back against a proposed third runway at the airport.
But in a move that has angered his political opponents, a fleet of more than a dozen cabs was ordered to take Mr Johnson and others home after
the meeting ended about 9pm.
The Mayor's office could not say how many people were given a free ride home.
After it was claimed this year there were plans to provide the Mayor with a car, his office said: “He cycles everywhere he can, and if he can't, he happily uses public transport, or very occasionally a taxi.”
Susan Kramer, a Liberal Democrat MP, said: “Londoners will no doubt be pleased to foot the bill for the Mayor's lack of faith in his own public transport system... what wimps.”
A spokeswoman for the Mayor said: “Taxis were organised to ensure GLA staff could get home safely after the debate.
“Most cabs had two or three sharing the ride, this included the Mayor who shared with three advisers. Staff safety is paramount, not least after a 2002 incident when an employee was mugged on their way home. The venue is at least a 15-minute bus ride from the nearest station.”
Related articles
Mayor Boris Johnson in F-word tirade
Boris Johnson on Twitter: Cripes, I've been caught cycling inside City Hall
Mayor: Gold-plated public sector pensions are unaffordable
Half-price bus travel to help unemployed find jobs in the recession
Big firms join the Mayor's green scheme
Link to:
Reader Views (14) Add your view | Show all
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
Taxis are one of the most expensive means of transport anywhere. Once a week,an old lady I know, of 70 years, has to pay £4 for a taxi to take her a distance of half a mile to a meal centre because she has walking difficulties and then pays £2 for the meal. £ £10 is a lot from a small pension. MPs who can drive should buy cars and be made to use them. They can claim mileage as well as all the other "expenses", too.
T H Leeds
- Thomas Hayes, Leeds UK
Just payback time for all the Vote Boris leaflets taxi drivers handed out during the mayoral election. He has also stopped the extra safety chairs on TX4's which have become Chariots of Fire.
Wonder if those who shared taxis claimed expenses jointly or seperately?
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex
Didn't Ken run up taxi bills of over £4000 a year, each year he was in office? I can't imagine him sharing his cab then again I can't imagine anyone wanting to share a cap with him.
- Adam, Harrow, UK
Add your comment
Show all
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.