Liberal Democrats on the London Assembly have called for the re-introduction of bus conductors after figures showed an increase in the levels of crime on London’s bus network.
In the case of an emergency (known as ‘code red’) bus drivers can communicate with a service controller via a private hands free network at the bus network’s central command.
Liberal Democrat AM and Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee Geoff Pope said the figures were “alarming” evidence that anti social behaviour on buses is a growing problem.
Mr Pope said the committee has “been getting reports from Borough Commanders across London that free Oystercards for the under 16s are exporting crime and anti-social behaviour from the streets onto buses.”
“With two thirds of bendy bus routes featuring code red incidents and the number 25 toping the list of crime hot spots, there is clearly sense in reintroducing conductors on articulated buses.”
Pope added that “fare evasion rate on bendy buses is almost three times that of conventional buses so the cost of the scheme would pay for itself as conductors crack down on fare dodgers.”
