Transport for LondonLegislative framework
S. 141 (1) of the act gives the Mayor of London a general duty to develop and implement policies to promote and encourage safe, integrated, efficient and economic transport facilities and services to, from and within London.
S. 154 (3) (b) states that we have a duty to facilitate the discharge by the Greater London Authority (GLA) of the duties under s. 141 (1).
In turn, we have a power under s.173 to provide or secure the provision of public passenger transport services, to, from or within Greater London.
We also have certain other powers and duties. As a highway and traffic authority for GLA roads we regulate the way in which the public uses highways and are responsible for:
- Traffic signs
- Traffic control systems
- Road safety
- Traffic reduction
We are also the licensing authority for both hackney carriages (taxis) and private hire vehicles (minicabs).
The GLA sets down our powers and duties. In general, we have a discretion as to who may discharge those functions on our behalf. However, in the case of certain specified activities, that discretion is limited. Those activities specified by the Transport for London (Specified Activities) Order 2000 must be carried out by TfL through a company limited by shares (which may be a subsidiary of TfL).
Transport Trading Limited (TTL) is our trading body and has a number of subsidiaries:
- Crossrail Limited
- Docklands Light Railway Limited
- London Bus Services Limited
- London Buses Limited
- London River Services Limited
- London Transport Museum Limited
- London Underground Limited
- LUL Nominee BCV Limited
- LUL Nominee SSL Limited
- Rail for London Limited
- Tramtrack Croydon Limited
- Transport for London Finance Limited
- Victoria Coach Station Limited
All functions remain with the TfL Board unless delegated. The TfL Board may arrange for its functions to be discharged on its behalf by any TfL committees and sub-committee, any TfL subsidiaries, any TfL members or officers and any bodies of members or / and officers. The TfL Standing Orders lays down the decision-making structure and proceedings and the scheme of delegation.
