The case for enhancing cross-boundary bus services for London and the Home Counties to end the postcode lottery

1967 London Transport Board Central Buses Map

This is a follow-up to my article regarding the reinstatement of the London Passenger Transport Area, in which prior to 1970, London Transport served the areas outside the Greater London Council area with green Country Bus services. Then after 1970, they were transferred over to the National Bus Company; these services were fully fragmented after the deregulation of bus services in October 1986. The London Passenger Transport Area also predates the creation of the Greater London Area in 1965.

The Impact of Withdrawing Paper One Day Bus & Tram Passes in London: The Importance of Alternative Ticketing Methods

It's been several months since Transport for London (TfL) has quietly withdrawn their paper One Day Bus & Tram Pass from TfL and railway stations.

This is a follow up to my previous article where I reported about TfL quietly withdrawing the paper One Day Bus & Tram Pass from TfL and railway stations, then I updated the article as more information was found such as the Equality Impact Assesment (EqIA) and the answer by the Mayor of London.

Transport for London Should Introduce Rolling Recruitment for More London Underground Customer Service Assistants to Reduce Disruption, Including Station Closures

This is a follow-up to my previous article earlier this year (2025), where I raised the issue of there being no vacancies from Transport for London (TfL) to hire more Customer Service Assistants (CSAs) for the London Underground.

Experimental Routemaster (XRM): The Overlooked Project of London's Transport History

XRM model bus design
It suggests a livery that is partly red and partly unpainted aluminium.
Image by London Transport

As a follow-up to my previous articles, "A Brief History of Low-Floor Buses and London Transport’s XRM Project: A Missed Opportunity for Accessibility" and "The Proposed Successors to the AEC Routemaster Before the Three-Door, Two-Staircase Hybrid New Routemaster Bus," this piece will delve into the ambitious yet ultimately unfulfilled project known as the XRM, a London Transport (LT) initiative aimed at designing the next generation of double-deck buses. The Experimental Routemaster (XRM) is indeed a forgotten part of London's Transport history.

Transport for London Once Again Postpones Release of the Big Red Book Sixth Edition

This short article provides an update on the progress of the much-anticipated sixth edition of the Big Red Book, which many had expected to be released in 2025. The information was published by Transport for London (TfL) in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

Request ID: FOI-0610-2526
Date Published: 2 June 2025

Why Transport for London Should Trial Bus Designs from Other Countries with Improved Accessibility Features and Stakeholder Feedback

This article follows on from my previous article, 'Exploring the Challenges and Considerations of Buses with Two Wheelchair Spaces And Buses of Longer Size', where I stated:

"This would allow TfL and organisations representing older and disabled people to evaluate different features used in buses across various cities and trial them in passenger service. It would also provide an opportunity to gather feedback from individuals and stakeholders."

Reviewing Transport for London’s New Bus Specification v2.6: New Zero-Emission Buses Should Be Creative, Not Restrictive

In this article, I will review Version 2.6 of the New Bus Specification, released by Transport for London (TfL) via their Freedom of Information disclosure log. The document includes a comprehensive set of updates and revisions aimed at enhancing safety, environmental performance, and operational efficiency.

Notable changes include the removal of engine emissions requirements, reflecting the shift towards zero-emission buses, and the addition of new requirements such as fire safety protocols, driver assault screens, and updated acceleration performance standards.

FOI Insights on London Underground Train Cancellations and Station Closures Due to Staff Shortages and the Status of CSA Recruitment

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request to Transport for London (TfL) has revealed the frequency and duration of closures at London Underground stations.

Request ID: FOI-3172-2425
Date published: 30 January 2025

Challenges of Double-Deck Buses with Two Staircases and Two Doors (Front and Rear)

Some readers may recall from my previous article on the proposed successor to the AEC Routemaster that I mentioned several buses, including the Experimental Routemaster (XRM), which was never built, the Daimler CRC6-36 (Walsall Corporation 56), and the Volvo Ailsa (London Buses V3). These buses are double-deck designs with two staircases and two doors: one at the front and the other at the rear, behind the axle.

Exploring the Challenges and Considerations of Buses with Two Wheelchair Spaces And Buses of Longer Size

Clipping from London Transport News No. 409, August 27 1992

I have discovered that the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) have issued statements regarding dual-door buses with two wheelchair spaces, aimed at improving accessibility.

The following statements were posted on their websites:

London's Bus Services Play A Vital Role In Accessibility For Tube And Railway Stations That Don't Have Step-free Access.

This is a brief follow-up to a thread on X (formerly Twitter) and Bluesky about the importance of providing bus services that follow the Underground lines where various stations lack step-free access.

Transport services in London play a vital role for millions of residents and visitors, yet they present significant challenges for those with restricted mobility. With many Underground stations lacking step-free access, there is an urgent need for bus routes that complement not only tube lines but also railway services, including the London Overground, Elizabeth Line, and National Rail.

Reviewing and Suggesting a New Common Bus Specification for London, Greater Manchester and Other Franchised Areas

In this article, I will be reviewing Transport for London's (TfL) New Bus Vehicle Specification version 2.5 and Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM) Bus Specification for their franchised Bee Network and suggesting a new common bus specification for London, Greater Manchester, other franchised areas, municipal bus companies, etc. I will also briefly include the specification for the three-door, two-staircase bus named New Routemaster (NRM).

As the documents are too detailed and specific, I will show the relevant parts and make a comparison. Some of my readers may have seen the comparison of the bus specifications posted on my social media pages.

Advice For Wheelchair Users In The Event of Missed Assistance (Staff With Wheelchair Ramp) At Railway Stations

Poster by Hong Kong PHAB Association

Yesterday (6th October 2024) I saw a post on X (formerly Twitter) where a wheelchair user was trying to board a train at Greenwich railway station but had to lift their chair up into the train, lost their glasses, and got hurt in the process. This is due to missed assistance at the station, despite booking passenger assistance with the train operating company.

Although I'm not a wheelchair user, I have volunteered to help in a small tweet thread instructing on what to do in the event of missed assistance (staff deploying a wheelchair ramp) at railway stations. I decided to share the instructions in my article because users who are not registered with X are unable to see other posts.

Transport for London Advises Wheelchair Users To Use The Emergency Passenger Alarm In The Event Of Missed Assistance At Underground, Overground and Elizabeth Line Stations — With Detailed Procedures

Graphic Standard for the Emergency Passenger Alarm used for Central line trains - © TfL

A Freedom of Information request to Transport for London (TfL) has advised wheelchair users to use the emergency passenger alarm at the station where they expect to depart where the staff failed to turn up with a wheelchair ramp to help them exit the train.

TfL has also posted detailed procedures when the wheelchair user activates the alarm at the station.

Here's the text published by TfL from a Freedom of Information request.

Request ID: FOI-1797-2425
Date published: 27 September 2024