Transport Committee launches investigation into bus services
Transport for All
London Assembly Transport Committee launches...
London Assembly Transport Committee launches a major investigation into the capital’s bus services.
The bus continues to be the most popular form of transport for people to get around London – carrying more than 6 million passengers a day.
Accessibility features like ramps, wheelchair bays, i-bus and ‘kneeling buses’ technology has also meant more and more disabled people are also keen to exercise our ‘right to ride’.
As a result the number of bus passenger journeys is continuing to rise and the timely investigation by the Transport Committee is set to examine how Transport for London (TfL) is planning to meet this demand.
The Committee has set the following terms of reference for the investigation:
- To identify the current and potential future usage of the bus network including crowding levels on bus routes;
- To explore how TfL reviews, redesigns and implements changes to bus services to meet changing demand; and
- To make recommendations to the Mayor and TfL on any actions they could take to improve the provision of bus services to meet current and future demand more effectively.
Evidence session
Transport for All was invited to give evidence to the Transport committee on 6th June 2013 at City Hall.
We raised the concerns of disabled and older Londoners; and in particular how bus services need to continue to evolve in the light of an ageing population and the specific needs of disabled passengers.
Issues relating to bus services and access to healthcare as well as the creation of new routes and bus stops were also raised. With many disabled people unable to use buses at the busiest times and during the ‘school run’ when many pushchair users are on board, due to overcrowding, there may be a case for increasing the frequency of some bus routes at rush hour.
The Committee will then hold a second meeting on 2 July 2013 to hear from Transport for London and bus service experts’ representatives of the Mayor/TfL and bus service experts.
Following its public meetings, the Committee will publish its findings and recommendations.
We want to hear your views on responding to changing demand for bus services
The Committee is also encouraging written submissions on the main areas of the investigation up till 31st August.
Please send your submissions to ross.jardine@london.gov.uk
and copy in Transport for All: Contactus@transportforall.org.uk
