Tuesday, 30 July 2024

London Bus Tender Awards: New Route 310 Trial From 31 August 2024 Between Golders Green and Stamford Hill

Diagram of Route 310 trial


It is announced that by the end of August 2024, Transport for London (TfL) will be launching Route 310 as a trial bus service, serving from Golders Green to Stamford Hill via Whittington Hospital. They will be using existing diesel single-deck buses.

LBSL intends to enter into new contracts for the following routes with the operators listed below:

Route 310
Current Operator: N/A - New Route
New Operator: Stagecoach London
Peak Vehicle Requirement: 8
Vehicles: Existing Diesel Single Deckers
Contract Start Date: 31st August 2024
Contract End Date: TBC

The diesel vehicles detailed above will meet Euro VI emissions standards.

Here's the information from the TfL website about the Route 310 trial.

Bus route 310 trial
From 31 August 2024, we will introduce the new bus route 310 between Golders Green and Stamford Hill.

The route will serve communities in the boroughs of:

• Barnet
• Islington
• Camden
• Haringey
• Hackney

The route will serve stops including:

• Highgate Village
• Whittington Hospital
• Archway
• Finsbury Park

The route will operate from 07:00 to 19:00 every day of the week, with a frequency of 3 buses per hour.

Why we run the trial

This will be the first time that Golders Green and Stamford Hill have been connected by a direct bus service. This new route will offer an accessible, sustainable, and affordable form of public transport connecting residents in north London.

The new route could also play an important role in enabling more people in the area to switch from car use to public transport, reducing congestion and improving air quality across the area and beyond.

The trial of a bus route is part of our wider vision to improve public transport in London, as outlined in the Bus Action Plan.

Consultation

We'll run a consultation to allow Londoners to give feedback on how the service is running and to inform our longer-term service plans.

We'll be working closely with local communities during the period to promote the route and to encourage communities along the route to share their feedback.

The consultation will be live from 31 August 2024 on the Have Your Say website.

I do mention that according to Section 183 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999, when TfL proposes a new bus service, they are required to consult the relevant authorities.

Here's the text of the legislation:

Addition or variation of a network service.

(1) Subsection (2) below applies where—
(a) Transport for London or any of its subsidiaries proposes to provide a new London local service or to vary an existing London local service,
(b) Transport for London proposes to enter into a London local service agreement for the provision of a new London local service, or
(c) Transport for London proposes to agree to a variation in an existing London local service provided pursuant to a London local service agreement,

and the proposal, if effected, would alter the London bus network.

(2) Transport for London shall before making a decision about the proposal consult—
(a) the commissioner or commissioners of police affected,
(b) the London authorities affected,
(c) the London Transport Users’ Committee
(operating name for London TravelWatch), and
(d) any other person whom Transport for London considers it appropriate to consult,

about the matters specified in subsection (3) below relating to the proposed new service or the service as proposed to be altered.

(3) The matters mentioned in subsection (2) above are—
(a) the route,
(b) the terminal points,
(c) the points at which passengers may or may not be taken up and set down, and
(d) the place at which, or street by the use of which, vehicles used for the service may turn at a terminal point.

(4) For the purposes of this section, the London authorities affected by a proposal are the London authorities in whose area there is situated—
(a) any part of the route in question, or
(b) any of the places mentioned in subsection (3)(b) to (d) above.


The Explanatory Notes states:

Sections 181 to 184: The London bus network

316. These sections require TfL to determine which bus services are required to make up the "London bus network" and so far as practicable to ensure that that network is provided. Only TfL or a subsidiary or someone who has an agreement with TfL or a subsidiary may provide a service that is a part of the network. Any party who provides a bus service under an agreement with TfL must hold a PSV operator's licence or a community bus permit.

317. Agreements between TfL and another person to provide a bus service that is part of the London bus network will be called "London local service agreements". The London local service agreement must take account of any restrictions placed by a Traffic Commissioner on any part of a service that runs outside London.

318. These sections also provide for consultation of interested parties where TfL proposes to provide (or enter into an agreement for the provision of) a new network service, to vary an existing service or to discontinue a service. TfL is required to consult the police, the local authorities affected, the London Transport Users' Committee and anyone else it thinks fit before proceeding.

I do mention that TfL is required to publish an equality impact assessment (EqIA) on proposed service changes, as they are a public body and have to comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) in accordance with the Equality Act 2010. You can read more about diversity and inclusion on the TfL website.
 
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