On track, but there is a lot more to do

WE have made significant steps to cut crime on the railway in recent years.

But working closely with rail operators, Transport for London, and British Transport Police - we are committed to improving passenger safety.

From next month, a £5.5million scheme will establish 68 new ticket gates and additional ticket machines at 14 stations in south London.

At first the gates will be staffed when operational, but from next year they will be staffed for 15 hours a day, including between 7pm and 11pm, so passengers feel safer when travelling at night.

This scheme marks the first stage of improvements to station staffing that will be delivered within the new South Central franchise from early 2010. By the end of next year, a further 29 stations on the South Central franchise will have new gates. They will also help clamp down on fare dodgers.We have worked closely with rail passenger groups to make sure their concerns are reflected.

By setting more robust franchise standards, we are ensuring that passengers have frequent, reliable services that are both comfortable and safe.

Security at London stations is also benefiting from a number of other programmes.

We are making important progress but I do not underestimate the scale of the task ahead.

Although crime on the network is falling, we still have a lot to do to deliver the world class railway that Londoners deserve.

So I welcome the Standard's Safer Stations campaign, and the valuable contribution that both the newspaper and its readers are making to the debate.