TfL Action Plan aims to boost bus use

A wide-ranging strategy to encourage people to use buses has been launched by Transport for London. This includes plans to make journeys 10% quicker than they were in 2015, introduce 25km of improved bus lanes by 2025 and switch to a totally zero emission bus fleet by 2030

A long-term Bus Action Plan for London will see the modern bus network attract more customers and help the capital become net zero by 2030, said Transport for London (TfL).

It says that the wide-ranging plan will create a network that allows “spontaneous, independent travel, including improved customer information and bus station refurbishment, with actions including upgrading more existing bus stops to meet the wheelchair accessible standard”.

TfL has pledged to make journeys 10% quicker than they were in 2015 and introduce 25km of improved bus lanes by 2025.

Zero-emission fleet

The shift to a zero emission fleet will happen more quickly, with TfL seeking to have a totally zeroemission bus fleet by 2030, ahead of the previous target date of 2034. But this will depend on additional Government funding, and support from manufacturers and operators, it points out.

TfL will explore how to deliver a zero-emission fleet for longer routes beyond the range of a single battery charge by: l Assessing ongoing hydrogen fuel cell pilot scheme for consumption, reliability and efficiency for five years from 2021, and seeking opportunities to generate the hydrogen used in the pilot from renewable sources from 2024

l A charging pilot scheme with target delivery dates of 2022 for charging infrastructure and 2022/23 for buses, with their phased introduction into service during 2023

l Assessing the long-term potential of hydrogen, opportunity charging and garage-based battery electric buses on a yearly basis.

Journey times

Improving journey times will require “more agile schedules” that respond better to the variability of traffic conditions throughout the year, using improved technology and a review of contracts, states the plan.

The benefits of the plan can already be seen on route 63 from King’s Cross to Honor Oak, where higher specification all-electric buses are now

6 Public Transport

TfL re-affirmed its aim for no one to be killed in or by a London Bus by 2030

operating, according to TfL.

Meanwhile, a new bus lane on the New Kent Road section of the route is improving journey times and reliability, said TfL, adding that all vehicles meet its Bus Safety Standard and feature upgraded CCTV.

Since the start of 2022 bus lane hours on most red route bus lanes have been converted to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week after trials found that extending bus lane hours cut journey times and helped service reliability, TfL said.

Bus priority

The plan sets out how streets will be managed to “ensure adequate priority for all active, efficient and sustainable modes”. Measures will include:

l Traffic signalling that gives greater priority for buses, pedestrians and cycles

l Reviewing underperforming routes with borough officers to observe issues at a local level, and pooling our expertise to understand the problem and identify solutions

l Delivering ‘quick win’ improvements identified through operational observation

l Working with boroughs to extend bus lane operating hours and reduce the impact of kerbside activity in bus lanes across the network

l Working with boroughs to reduce the impact of roadworks on bus customers.

TfL said it will work with local stakeholders to make interchanges easier by “providing safe and comfortable walking routes between bus stops, improving wayfinding and ensuring the right customer information is in place to support longer and more complex trips”.

Under the plan, bus customer information systems and infrastructure will be reviewed.

This will provide “live arrival, disruption, crowding and congestion information our customers need to feel in control of their journeys”.

Trials are underway to improve layout and design features

Digital information

TfL seeks to roll out real-time digital information displays to bus stations, stops and shelters, starting with a trial of different technologies over the next 12 months.

There will be new on-bus information screens, beginning with the trial on route 63 this year, along with digital screens on the outside of buses “to provide customers with more accurate and detailed information”. The capital’s 25,000 bus drivers will complete a new diversity and inclusion training course by the end of 2024, said TfL.

Bus stops and stations

The plan comprises a long list of pledges designed to “improve the experience for customers in vehicles and at bus stops, shelters and stations”. These include:

l Trials of new layout and design features that can improve the customer experience and accessibility inside the bus, including better lighting and seating, and measures to improve thermal comfort, beginning with 29 vehicles on route 63 in 2022

l Upgrading bus stops and seeking to accelerate bus shelter renewals to meet customer requirements across comfort, accessibility, information, safety and security

l Introducing new bus station design guidelines this year, and delivering new bus stations to these guidelines

l Refurbishing and upgrading existing bus stations resulting in safer, comfortable and accessible bus travel, beginning with Kingston Cromwell Road bus station in 2022/23.

Accessibility

TfL has pledged to work with boroughs to upgrade existing bus stops so that they meet the wheelchair accessible standard and ensuring that all new bus stops will be wheelchair accessible.

Work will continue with boroughs to convert hail and ride sections of the bus network to fixed stops.

New bus stop layouts will meet the needs of people walking and cycling while “continuing to engage and monitor to ensure that layouts (including nearby street furniture) are fit for purpose and accessible for all”.

Better lighting and seating is to be introduced

Improving safety

TfL re-affirmed its aim that no one would be killed in or by a London Bus by 2030. Measures set out in the plan include:

l The continued roll-out of the Bus Safety Standard on new vehicles, with all existing measures mandated by 2024. Retrofitting features such as intelligent speed assistance by the end of 2023

l Working with operators to deliver the Fatigue Management Programme for bus drivers

l Promoting a culture of transparency, internally and across operators, proactively sharing learning opportunities and publishing. n