The Government has confirmed an extension of its funding support for Transport for London (TfL) until 4 February.
While London's transport commissioner Andy Byford said the TfL was grateful for the ongoing support, it means the Conservative Government and Labour City Hall remain locked in a battle over a long-term solution.
London mayor Sadiq Khan seemed less than pleased with the outcome, stating the funding extension 'means that nothing has changed in terms of TfL having to plan on the basis of a managed decline of the capital’s public transport network'.
'As a condition of the emergency short-term funding TfL needs to avoid collapse, the Government is forcing us to raise additional revenue in London through measures, like council tax, that will unfairly punish Londoners for the way the pandemic has hit our transport network, he added.
Mr Khan had previously outlined a number of measures he 'has been forced' to put to consultation including a £20 council tax hike, changes to fare structures, and raising the eligibility age for free travel.
'Despite these measures, only a long-term funding deal with the Government, including additional capital funding, will be enough to avoid significant and damaging cuts to tube and bus services,' he said.
Mr Byford said: 'There is no UK recovery from the pandemic without a London recovery and there is no London recovery without a properly funded transport network in the capital. It is therefore essential that discussions with Government continue so that we can agree the sustained long-term Government funding that is vital for the coming years if a period of ‘managed decline’ of London’s transport network is to be avoided.'
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