Boris launches his transport manifesto (From Your Local Guardian)

Boris launches his transport manifesto

1:22pm Monday 3rd March 2008 in News By Dan Menhinnitt

London Mayoral candidate Boris Johnson launched his transport manifesto today.

The Conservative MP said he wanted to cut the amount of time Londoners spent trapped in their cars and create a safer transport system which benefits all of London.

Among his proposals Mr Johnson said he would:

• Improve public transport in outer London through orbital bus routes
  
• Spend less on press officers, using the money to pay for extra police to patrol the transport network
  
• Introduce a bike hire scheme
  
• Halt Tube ticket office closures
  He also wants teens that lose their free bus travel privilege by committing antisocial behaviour to earn it back through community service.

Mr Johnson said: "The current mayor is clearly a Zone 1 man who cares little for those living in London's outer boroughs that get a raw deal. My transport manifesto takes that into account - and will appeal to the whole of London.

"We have had to sit and watch as fresh thinking and vital reports have been suppressed - all while this Labour mayor has pursued far-flung projects which are completely out of touch with Londoners' concerns."