The Tube's new private investors are expecting to make billions from their investment in the underground, according to reports.

The London Evening Standard alleges that the eight construction and maintenance companies who form the Metronet and Tube Lines consortia are privately admitting they expect to earn returns of £2.7 billion on their direct investments of £530 million over the life of the PPP contracts.

Forum Response: Transport for London

A spokeswoman for transport commissioner Bob Kiley told ePolitix.com: "The scale of the profits showed that the PPP is a grossly expensive scheme allowing the companies to make excessive profits.

"This proves that the Tube PPP does not provide value for money for London, which should be its real aim. The way the financing has been structured is a grossly expensive option."