The PPP Arbiter (excuse us, but who elected you?!) has ruled that TfL can be held liable for half of Metronet's overspend, and therefore any new bidder for the Infraco contracts can expect a £1bn handout from TfL. This simultaneously makes it harder for TfL to make its bid, and far easier and more attractive to the private sector.
Just the other week, Mayor Livingstone tried to kid Metronet workers that they didn't need to strike because TfL would be bidding for the contract so we could confidently expect a return to public ownership. That 'assurance' is beginning to look as hollow as we said it was at the time.
And while TubeLines have continually claimed they are 'not interested' in taking on Metronet's leftovers, Tubeworker always suspected that their interest might be aroused if enough money appeared on the table. And hey, here they are, listed amongst a school of sharks prowling around the defunct infraco's contract.
It's a timely reminder that the Metronet strike may be over, but the need to fight for a full return to public ownership is as urgent as ever.
