Buses
Bus Service Information
Added: 22 January 2009 | Updated: 1 May 2012
London has the largest accessible bus fleet in the world—in theory at least! However, a number of recurring issues still restrict access to the capital’s vast bus network.
Accessing the service
Wheelchair users are entitled to free travel on buses and do not need to show any ticket or pass but anyone accompanying them must hold a valid ticket or pay the appropriate fare.
Wheelchair spaces onboard are frequently occupied by baby buggies. This is despite the fact that wheelchair users do take priority. We would advise bus travellers to request the driver’s intervention and use the PA system to request the space is vacated. If that fails, urge the driver to radio behind to the next bus to ensure that it has an unoccupied space.
TfL are reviewing their policy regarding mobility scooters on London buses. Some smaller scooters will be eligible for a scheme launching in summer 2012. Please contact Transport for All to check if your scooter is permitted by TfL.
Ramps
No London bus should leave the garage with a faulty ramp. Unfortunately
many still do and they are not often reported in time. Some bus
companies are better than others when it comes to ramp maintenance. If
you encounter a bus with a faulty ramp – report it!
Transport for All can advise you how to do this, or make the comlaint on your behalf. Read more in our complaints section, or speak to our advocacy officer, Youcef on 020 7737 2339.
If you use a wheeled mobility walker, don’t be too shy to ask the driver to lower the bus or the ramp so you can board more easily. The bus has been designed to do this and the driver has been trained to operate this function when requested – they only have to push a button.
iBus
The iBus project is now complete and 8000 buses use Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) technology. This system informs passengers of the bus location with visual displays and audio announcements. If the system does not seem to be working, speak to the driver.
Assistance dogs are welcome on all buses.
Transport for London produce the Big Red Book. This is give to all bus drivers and explains the standard that are expected of them. It includes quite detailed information about disabled passengers, and clearly states our rights, such as priority in the wheelchair space etc.
Thanks to a Freedom of Information request, the book is available for the public to view. Click here to download a PDF of the entire book.
To find out which bus company operates a certain route, you can call our office on 020 7737 2339 and we will look it up for you.