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."

Suggestion: I Believe It’s Time for a New Regional Transport Body for the South East of England?

I've had this idea in my head for the past few years, and I’ve been saying it on Twitter for the past several months.

I would like to suggest that it’s time for a new transport authority for the South East of England (including Greater London and the Home Counties) to subsume TfL (including all their responsibilities listed below), various transport responsibilities by the local authorities (London Borough, Local, County Councils etc.), certain sub-national transport bodies (i.e. England’s Economic Heartland, Transport East & Transport for the South East), and the railway services of the former Network SouthEast.

Transport for London launches consultations to restructure bus services in Barnet, Brent, Havering, and Wandsworth

Transport for London (TfL) has launched multiple consultations to restructure bus services in the outer London boroughs.

From TfL press release:

TfL sets out further new proposals for more than 400,000km increase in buses services in outer London

Consultations have been published on proposals to improve buses in Barnet, Brent, Havering and Wandsworth

Reviewing TfL’s Freedom of Information Releases: Upcoming London Bus Projects, New Routemaster Refurbishment, Further Comments about High-Spec Electric Buses and More…

As many of my Twitter followers know, I tend to tweet interesting Freedom of Information (FOI) requests from the Transport for London (TfL) website.

I’ve copied and pasted some of TfL’s FOI releases to my own article to make it easier to find the recent information about London Buses on a different website.

TfL Launches ‘Enhanced Customer Specification Electric Buses’ on Route 63

It’s been nearly two months since I’ve published an article on my website due to the fact that I’ve been posting on Twitter more often, and also because there hasn’t really been any interesting bus related news to report on, due to TfL’s current financial situation.

TfL Press Release:

New green, productivity boosting buses introduced – but no more will be delivered until a long-term funding deal is secured

New route 63 buses include a host of customer-friendly features to make bus travel an even more attractive alternative to the car

A fleet of new, higher specification all-electric buses are being introduced on a key London bus route to encourage even more people back on to public transport as London recovers from the pandemic.

The new ultra-modern buses were first developed around two years ago, and are a sign of what the future of buses could be if the Government agrees a long term funding deal with Transport for London (TfL). Without a deal, the less green and increasingly ageing bus fleet will have to remain on the roads.

UK Government to End Railway Franchising – Unique Identities For London Overground Services

It’s been a while since I’ve posted something railway related on my website. This recent news regarding railways in Britain is huge because the UK Government have drafted plans to end railway franchising and to simplify ticketing, although the operations will remain privatised.

Excerpt from Department for Transport

• Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail to reform Britain’s railways and launch a new era for passengers
• biggest change in 25 years sees creation of new public body Great British Railways – a single, familiar brand with united, accountable leadership
• simpler, modern fares delivered, starting with new flexible season tickets on sale from 21 June and a new Great British Railways website for all tickets and clearer compensation
• reforms support delivery of a financially sustainable railway as country recovers from coronavirus (COVID-19), with new contracts focused on punctuality and improved efficiency, making it easier and cheaper to plan maintenance, renewal and upgrades

Entire London Bus Fleet Now Meets ULEZ Emission Standards. Also, List of TfL Bus Routes Converting to Zero Emission Buses

Transport for London has announced in a press release that their bus network now runs using Euro VI or zero-emission buses, which meets the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) standards.

From TfL press release

The main bus network now exclusively uses Euro VI or cleaner buses, the same emissions standard as the Mayor of London's Ultra Low Emission Zone.

All buses in TfL's 9,000-strong bus fleet* now meet or exceed the cleanest Euro VI emissions standards. This is a major milestone in tackling toxic air pollution in the capital.

TfL awards contract to CAF to replace old DLR trains

TfL has finally found a manufacturer to build new DLR trains to replace 33 of the old DLR trains manufactured by Bombardier. The manufacturer who won the contract is Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, S.A (CAF) and they will be building 43 new DLR trains.

Extracts from TfL press release

Customers using the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) will benefit from more frequent and reliable journeys from 2023, after Transport for London (TfL) today announced it has awarded a contract to replace the oldest trains currently serving the railway.

Network Rail’s vision for the greener network and new overhead wires for Southend Victoria Line

Here’s some railway news from Network rail because there isn’t much bus news to report on.

From Network Rail

We own, operate and develop 20,000 miles of track across Britain and that’s just the start. With such far-reaching infrastructure, we have a responsibility to limit our impact on the environment as best we can.

We’ve made significant progress in sustainability over the past year, diverting 94% of our waste from landfill.

Tottenham Court Road Crossrail Elizabeth Line near completion and London Bus tender awards update

Crossrail have announced the near completion of the new Tottenham Court Road station. We are still months away though until the main core of Crossrail opens up in December 2018.

Excerpts from Crossrail news

New images showing progress at Tottenham Court Road have been released, highlighting the critical role played by businesses across the UK in the delivery of the Elizabeth line. Tottenham Court Road station will be at the centre of London’s first new underground railway in a generation, which will run from Berkshire and Heathrow in the west to south east London and Essex in the east.

Strong backing for the Holborn Tube Station upgrades

In their consultation, Tfl reports that 98% of the respondents agreed with the need to upgrade Holborn Station.

From TfL press release

TfL has announced today (Thursday 5 July) that proposals to substantially boost the capacity of Holborn Tube station have received strong backing from the public and local community.

Network Rail infrastructure renewals during May Bank Holidays

As we are in May, Network Rail will be renewing signals and railway infrastructure during the May Bank Holidays.

From Network Rail

When track is ‘life-expired’ and maintenance is too expensive or ineffective, we come up with solutions to refurbish or renew it. These major projects are part of our Railway Upgrade Plan, and we carry them out at weekends or over bank holidays to minimise disruption.

Automatic trains enabled for the Thameslink Core

Automatic Train Operation (ATO) is now starting to be used for the main core section of the Thameslink, which serves the Central London stations.

From Network Rail

Passengers have ridden the UK’s first self-drive mainline train in a major milestone for the rail industry, delivered by the Thameslink Programme.

On Monday 26 March 2018 the 09.46 service from Peterborough to Horsham, one of the new routes that will be opened up by the industry’s biggest timetable change for a generation in May, ran under automatic train operation (ATO) between St Pancras International and London Blackfriars.

Bromley-by-Bow next to become step-free access Tube station

TfL has announced that Bromley-By-Bow station has had lifts installed, making the Tube station step-free access.

From TfL Press release

Record investment being made to transform accessibility across the transport network.

TfL today confirmed that lifts have been installed at Bromley-by-Bow station for the first time, making it the 73rd step-free station on London's Underground network.

New Timetable for Croydon Tramlink services

TfL has announced a new timetable for the Croydon Tramlink to improve service and reduce passenger crowding.

From TfL press release

The new timetable will provide a more regular service with even spacing between trams, reducing passenger crowding.

Bank branch Northern Line trains will not stop at Kennington between May and September

Due to the Northern Line extension works, the Bank branch trains will not serve Kennington station from May to September.

From TfL press release

Bank branch trains will not stop at Kennington station from Saturday 26 May until mid-September 2018

Northern line customers are advised that from Saturday 26 May until mid-September Bank branch trains will not stop at Kennington to allow four new customer passageways to be built as part of work on the Northern Line Extension.

Once complete, the passageways will make it quicker and easier for customers to change between different branches of the Northern line at Kennington, and will be essential for those using the new Northern Line Extension from Kennington to Battersea Power Station, which is due for completion in 2020.

Improvements to railway lines in Scotland and Wales

Network Rail is making improvements to railway lines in Scotland and Wales.

In Scotland, Network Rail announces improvements to the Aberdeen to Inverness railway line to improve journey times.

Unlimited Hopper fare launches for London Buses

TfL and the London Mayor announce the launch of the unlimited hopper fare for London Buses.

From TfL Press release

This press release, issued by the Mayor of London, was first published on london.gov.uk

Over 140 million 'Hopper' journeys already made since it launched in September 2016

Around 13,000 additional passengers to now benefit from the unlimited 'Hopper' every day.

New frequent services for the London Underground Northern Line

TfL has announced a new higher-frequency evening peak period for the London Underground Northern Line.

From TfL Press release

Length of higher-frequency 'evening peak' period doubled to enable quicker and easier journeys home on London's busiest Tube line.

New ‘Licence for London’ enables new pay deal for London Bus drivers

TfL has announced a new pay deal for London Bus drivers as part of introducing the new ‘License for London’.

From TfL Press release

This press release, issued by the Mayor of London, was first published on london.gov.uk

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, today took the next step towards fulfilling his manifesto pledge to provide a new fairer deal for London's 25,000 bus drivers, who are crucial to passengers receiving a good service on London buses.

The introduction of a new 'Licence for London' puts an end to the previous system where bus drivers moving from one bus company to another would be paid the lowest driving wage as if they were starting their careers, even though they might have driven for many years with another company. From now on drivers can start at a new company at a pay grade equivalent to their level of service and experience.