That said, Boris is behaving undemocratically in enacting this policy despite both the manifesto commitments he made and the fuss he kicked up about retaining ticket offices and rejecting the arguments he uses to justify the policy.

It’s clear that Boris believes the unions have a strong case judging by the platform on which he sought election.

Those commitments in full:

“Make Transport More Convenient…by halting the proposed Tube ticket office closures, and ensuring there is always a manned ticket office at every station”

“I will also defend local ticket offices. Ken Livingstone plans to close a large number of ticket offices at Tube stations, predominantly in outer London because he claims that the increase in Oyster use has made them surplus to requirements. However, what he has not taken into account is that local people feel it is important there is a manned ticket office at their station, as often there are not enough Oyster outlets in the local area. There has been little consultation with local residents, and I think it is wrong that some local stations could lose this service. I will stop the planned ticket office closures, and focus on increasing the number of Oyster outlets in outer London so local people have greater access to Oyster”

“We deplore Ken Livingstone’s proposed closure of 40 London ticket offices on the underground network, including at several important suburban stations and key central London stations, such as Cannon Street and Regent’s Park. Unsurprisingly, Ken Livingstone has delayed these unpopular closures until after the election. The latest round of closures are due to take place in October 2008. TfL claims that these offices make hardly any ticket sales, such is the widespread use of Oyster. However, many of these ticket offices still make ticket sales of more than 100 tickets per day.146 In addition, manned ticket offices provide a reassuring, visible presence. They can act as a first point of call in times of emergency or help and staff can see the whole station via CCTV screens. The ticket offices are not being closed to save money; Ken Livingstone has promised that no staff will lose their jobs. There has been significant local opposition to the proposed closures. One petition to the London Assembly generated 3,449 signatures for just one station, North Harrow.There is little financial, strategic or common sense in these closures. We will halt all such ticket office closures immediately”