Transport for London trial new bus stand design across London
A new type of bus stand is set to be trailed by TfL across London in 27 locations.
With bus use falling in London and buses being by far the worse performing mode for getting around the capital via Transport for London services this is one attempt to help turn the tide.
TfL state the design will lead to “improvements include better lighting and seating, priority spaces, a more sustainable modular construction approach, a new roof design, more robust anti-vandalism materials and CCTV at selected shelters “.
It’s not yet known if any will be located on areas TfL have recently cut buses across south east London such as the 472 route. You may have far fewer stopping buses now in places such as south and east Thamesmead but you can perhaps spend longer twiddling your thumbs and clock watching in a new shelter design in future.
TfL state new bus stands are to be located in Barking & Dagenham, Bexley, Camden, Croydon, Hackney, Havering, Hillingdon, Kingston-upon-Thames, Lambeth, Southwark, Wandsworth and City of Westminster.
Widespread cuts
Recent bus cuts on the 472 route in south and east Thamesmead are partly located within Bexley borough. A new Superloop doesn’t stop in various parts of the area.
Greenwich isn’t part of the trial though the borough has seen substantial recent cuts in buses across many towns including Plumstead, Woolwich, Charlton, Greenwich and Kidbrooke.
Kidbrooke is seeing 5,500 new homes being built whilst bus services are reduced. Those buses serve Queen Elizabeth hospital in Woolwich. Another hospital route that was reduced was the 291.
Around 1,000 new homes in Woolwich and Charlton have seen reductions within the last two weeks.
Confused strategy
TfL’s seemingly confused bus management is typified by those recent reductions in services. Today they’ve stated the “trial demonstrates TfL’s commitment to the Bus Action Plan, which aims to encourage bus use and support the Mayor’s ambition for 80 per cent of London journeys to be made using public transport or active travel by 2030″.
Not sure how you encourage bus use by reducing bus provision on busy routes serving thousands of new homes being built near stops but there you go.
Carl Eddleston, TfL’s Director of Streets and Network Operations, said: “This initiative reflects our commitment to creating a bus network that feels safer, more welcoming and easier to use.
“By modernising our infrastructure, we’re ensuring that Londoners benefit from spaces that truly support their daily journeys. These upgrades allow us to rethink how our shelters serve the city and help us shape the future of public transport. We are keen to hear directly from those who use these shelters so we can incorporate their feedback into future designs.”
Seb Dance, London’s Deputy Mayor for Transport, said: “The Mayor and I are committed to making sure our transport network is safe and seamless for everyone to use, so that Londoners and visitors can make the most of all our fantastic city has to offer.
“We’re pleased to see TfL working to improve accessibility and safety across the bus network, trialling innovative new approaches to ensure passengers have the best possible journeys, as we continue building a fairer and better London for all.”
To be totally honest I do not think actual bus usage is down. I think fare revenue is down as more people travel for free or use different TFL discount card schemes. For example students etc.
I think a lot of journeys are not accounted for as quite often when you tP your oyster the machine is not working.
Again to be totally honest I think Sadiq Khan Mayor of London and TFL just want to cut bus services at any cost.
Incredibly simple to improve bus journey times and therefore usage in London: remove all the parking bays that illogically obstruct the outside lane/bus lanes along red routes and double yellow line roads.
Sadly the new shelters will only end up being vandalised as they always. Which is a real shame as people should respect property which is not theirs.
I have to agree with the comments made by C and Richard..
Thrte lots that can be done to improve bus services including bus usage and journey times on normal bus routes.
But TFL and Local Authorities who also also have a say in changes to bus services simply do not listening to people and ignore the results of expensive consultations and fo what they want anyway.
I think the new bus shelters will be welcomed. Like Kay M i hope they will not be vandalised. I welcome the better lighting CCtV and anti vandal materials. Grafti is a real eyesore scribbled over bus shelters across London.
I also agree with the comments made by C Richard and Kay M. So much more can be done to improve bus services across Greater London and improve bus usage a reliability and fare revenue especially in Outer London Boroughs with no access or vety little access to the Underground unlike in Central London..
The bus routes I use are always busy. Often having to stand at during the peak hours.
We have seen routes bus routes withdrawn frequencies cut and routes curtailed..
Tbis all has an affect on passenger usage. I cannot see why the Mayor of London, TFL and other interested parties like Local Authorities and MP”s cannot understand this when contaced.. It is not rocket science.
I’m gutted that the 472 has been axed and replaced by the SL11.
Most bus stands or bus shelters as many people refer to them as bus shelters. I do think that many other bus stops in London could do with having bus stands. And TfL to improve the buses to make them more accessible, reliable and convenient for Londoners who travel on the bus.
Transport for London do need to update its bus service pattern across Greater London as well as upgrading bus stops that don’t have bus stands to have one installed.
The pair of left hand seats looks ridiculously low, maybe a foot off the ground. That is more squatting than sitting.
The leftmost seat is also slap bang against the glass with no shoulder or elbow room.
Why the missing panel at back right?
Enclosure means better wind and rainproofing, more seats and more advertising income or information displays eg. a spider-map.
The existing narrow red seat perches are also ridiculously uncomfortable and unfit for purpose.
Some, possibly non-TfL, shelters have a silver horizontal structural feature just in the right place to dig into your spine.
The 20mph limits of some boroughs should be scrapped.
I’ve just been on a 54 bus crossing from 30 mph max Bromley into 20mph max Lewisham then another bus in 20 mph max Greenwich Borough and vice versa.
Up to 30mph is a sensible speed to get where you want to go by bus or other means.
20mph is a mind-numbing joke.
That would make bus travel more appealing – normal travel speeds.
It is disproportionate to make, say 1,000,000 people’s journeys crawl around at 20mph on the off-chance that 1 person might step out in front of a vehicle and might be a little less injured at 20mph instead of up to 30mph.
The rule is to drive at a speed appropriate to the road conditions.
If 30 mph is appropriate for road conditions, do that.
If a lower speed is appropriate, do that instead
If you are looking at a speedometer to ensure no more than 20mph, you are looking less at the road ahead to avoid accidents.
I totally agree. I’ve reduced using buses since 20mph speed limits were introduced in my area. With the combination of overly frequent stops, sometimes just 100 metres apart, and crawling speeds, bus journeys now feel excruciatingly slow. The other factor has been the loss of indicator boards at most local stops, meaning you have no idea when the next bus is due. TFL seems to think people are happy to wait for an unspecified amount of time for a bus that will take an eternity to get you to your destination. Sorry, that’s not for me.
@Nick Goy: the new Metroliner bus as only seats for 20 passengers downstairs. The back bench is split into two small seats on either side of I don’t know what, and a big boxed out area takes up at least two rows of seating at the front of the bus.
Through-traffic in the City has dropped to around 4mph; for nearly three years the area around Cannon Street and Moorgate has been either sealed off or restricted while new office buildings are built. On top of this, pavement rebuilds and utilities works without temporary lights or banksmen means frequent traffic jams (compounded by cyclists weaving through, not allowing any kind of jam to unlock).
What I’ve also noticed is that the operators of the 141 have started running phantom buses – on app and at the bus stop, the regular service levels are maintained, but no buses appear. Only 1-in-3 arrive, at 20min intervals rather than the displayed 7-8. Speaking to other passengers, others have noticed phantom buses kept on the books, the actual buses often so overcrowded the 20m wait can be wasted.