Boris Johnson has stressed it should be possible to “run a better Tube system,” amid a public row over how to tackle overcrowding on the London Underground.
The Prime Minister made the comment at PMQs on Wednesday, as the heated debate continues between the Government and the Mayor of London about packed commuter trains during the coronavirus lockdown.
London transport services have been severely curtailed – as the British public are urged to stay at home – leading to overflowing carriages and high risks of spreading infection.
Asked what advice he would give Sadiq Khan to combat the problem, Mr Johnson told the Commons: “My own view is that we should be able to run a better tube system at the moment, we should be able to get more tubes on the line."
But, he continued: "We will do whatever we can, I do not wish in any way to cast aspersions on what is going on at TfL at the moment because it is an outstanding organisation.
"What we will do is give the mayor every support and help that we can to help him through what seems to me to be his present logistical difficulties.”
His comments come after the London Mayor warned that Tube services will need to be cut further once more staff become ill or self-isolate due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Mr Khan refuted Matt Hancock's claim that there is “no good reason” why Tube timetables have been slimmed down so dramatically.
The Health Secretary said on Tuesday that more running Underground trains were needed so that passengers can travel within a safe distance of each other.
But Mr Khan hit back, saying services have been reduced because nearly a third of Transport for London’s (TfL) staff are off sick or self-isolating, including train drivers and control centre workers.
The Tube is operating at around 50 per cent of its normal capacity during peak times, as many people continue to travel despite pleas for non-essential journeys to be avoided.
NHS workers are among those who have complained that packed carriages are putting their health at risk.
The Prime Minister suggested during today's parliamentary session that black cabs could help mitigate the dangers to frontline doctors and nurses.
He said London's “unsung service” was being considered for use transporting NHS workers safely across the city.
There is an “army” of drivers “itching to get involved like the Spitfires in 1940," Mr Johnson was told by Tory MP Sir Charles Walker.
“Can we find a way if we need to get doctors and nurses safely across London to use these black cab drivers, not on the meter but perhaps on a contracted basis?” the senior backbencher asked.
The PM replied: “My honourable friend makes a superb point and indeed that has already been raised in our considerations.
“The black cab drivers are a fantastic service, they are an unsung service and I believe they can certainly rise to this challenge.”
