Introduction to the Public Private
Partnership Arbiter

London Underground Ltd (LUL) has entered into three Public Private Partnerships with Tube Lines and with Metronet for the maintenance, renewal and upgrading of its infrastructure. 

Under these PPP Agreements, three private sector companies maintain, renew and upgrade discrete parts of LUL's infrastructure under separate 30 year Agreements. The PPP Arbiter deals with disputes about the financial terms of these Agreements.

The role of the PPP Arbiter was established by the Greater London Authority Act 1999. The Secretary of State appointed Chris Bolt as the first Arbiter for a four year term from 31 December 2002, the date of commencement of the Tube Lines contract. This term was extended on 18 May 2006 for a further four years to December 2010. Under the terms of the Act, the PPP Arbiter is independent of Government and of the PPP Parties.