TKD wrote in uk.transport.london on Wed, 9 Nov 2005 18:02:42 -0000
:

If there had been an elected body responsible for the government of London
at the time of rail privatisation and they had been given some authority over
rail services and ticketing in the London region this mess could have been
avoided. However, a governing body for one of the main world cities with a
remit covering all transport in its region was considered unnecessary by the
government of the day.

While, as you say, this could have been avoided from the start of
franchising, most (if not all?) franchises in the London Region have
been, or are in the process of being, re-tendered since they were
first let.

ICBW, but I haven't seen any indication that the new agreements
include any requirement to co-operate with TfL on Prestige/Oyster.

--
hike
- a walking tour or outing, esp. of the self-conscious kind
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary