Do London’s buses take you where you need
to go? Are bus stops in the capital conveniently located near homes or
workplaces? Are communities adequately involved in deciding new routes or
changes to services?
How Londoners’ views are sought about bus
services and new routes is being investigated by the London Assembly Transport
Committee.
The inquiry was prompted because of concerns about Transport for
London’s (TfL) previous public consultations on major projects such as the West
London Tram and extensions to the Congestion Charge Zone. Assembly Members have
been made aware of issues surrounding feedback on where buses should run and the
positioning of bus stops.
The rapid expansion of London’s bus
services during the past few years has increased passenger capacity and
radically altered the nature of some routes. This has seen the gradual
withdrawal of the Routemaster, the introduction of bendy buses and hail and ride
schemes, and the abolition of some routes altogether.
London Buses says its services should be
comprehensive, frequent, simple and reliable. Routes should run within five
minutes (400 metres) of most homes and as many services as possible should run
at least every 12 minutes. The Committee will examine how the Mayor’s transport
body reaches its final decisions and whether local communities are satisfied
with the service they receive.
Roger Evans AM, Chair of the Transport
Committee, said: “Many Londoners feel that their views are not taken seriously.
This is despite attempts by the Mayor to seek a wide range of opinions on his
transport plans. We believe it is vital to examine the consultation and
communication policies of the Mayor’s transport body. The end result of this
process should always meet the needs of Londoners and not just be seen as a
routine paper exercise which is required by law.”
The Transport Committee would like to hear
Londoners views on whether they feel adequately consulted on changes to bus
routes or new services in their areas.
Please email Danny Myers, Transport
Committee Scrutiny Manager at: danny.myers@london.gov.uk, or write to him at: City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1
2AA
