Transport watchdog urges action on buses – London TravelWatch

07 November 2024

London TravelWatch says Transport for London (TfL) must do more to improve and protect the capital’s most popular form of public transport.

A new report by London TravelWatch, the capital’s independent transport watchdog, is urging widespread improvements to the capital’s bus service.  

The next stop: Making London’s buses better found that slow journey times, poor provision of information and the on-board experience can discourage passengers from using the bus. London TravelWatch is now calling on TfL to set out, in detail, how it plans to address these issues by the time of the next update of the Mayor’s transport strategy in summer 2025.  

Michael Roberts, CEO of London TravelWatch, said: “Buses are a lifeline to many in the capital, particularly among those for whom affordability and accessibility are priorities. But with average speeds barely over 9mph, they are simply not getting passengers to where they need to be quickly enough and, while ridership is increasing post-Covid, it is still below that of a decade ago. 

“If there is to be any chance of meeting the Mayor’s target for 80 percent of all trips in London to be made on foot, by bike or public transport by 2041, then bus services need urgent improvement. Just taking one extra bus trip each month would make a significant difference.  

“We want to see TfL working more closely with London boroughs to speed up the roll out of bus priority measures, thus improving journey times and protecting this vital service.” 

The report outlines five key recommendations to help get London’s bus services back on track. These are: 

• Improve bus operations 
• Enhance passenger information and communications 
• Improve the overall experience for bus passengers 
• Strengthen collaboration between boroughs and TfL 
• Continue to promote innovation 

Find out much more, and view the report, here.