Public foots bill for costly communication from Transport for London

Figures revealed this week showed that the taxpayer is funding Transport for London’s press office to the tune of £2.5million a year.

The information was revealed to London Assembly Member Roger Evans in a question to the Mayor of London.

Figures show that the cost has increased from £858,990 in 2003/2004 to £2,491,226 in 2007/2008.

Commenting on the amount, Roger Evans Conservative AM said, “This is a staggering amount of money to spend on nothing more than a few press officers and some glossy photos.

“Transport for London should concentrate on getting people to and from work and around our great city rather than how to spin a story.

“There are a many ways that this £2.5 million could be better spent and the Mayor of London must urgently get a grip on this escalating figure as it is already out of control.”

On top of the cost of running the press office, Transport for London spent over £4m on advertising in press, outdoor, tv, cinema and on the internet last year.

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November 30, 2007