London Underground public private partnerships

In March 2003, the Government signed three 30-year public private partnership (PPP) deals worth an estimated GBP 15.7 billion for the maintenance and renewal of London Underground trains and stations, track and signalling, after a five-year procurement process which cost GBP 455 million. Under the PPPs, London Underground retains responsibility for operations and safety, whilst three private sector infrastructure companies (infracos) maintain and renew the infrastructure. There is a built-in periodic review mechanism, untried in any other PPP arrangement, which enables the parties to respecify requirements and make changes to prices. Ownership of London Underground was transferred to Transport for London in July 2003, which reports to the Mayor of London, although the Department for Transport still retains an interest. Following on from two NAO reports (HCP 644, session 2003-04, ISBN 0102928339 and HCP 645, session 2003-04, ISBN 0102928320) published in June 2004, the Committee's report examines the rationale for the PPPs, the contract price and other costs, and the contract management arrangements.