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.

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.

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."

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

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:

TfL Publishes More Information About Passenger Emergency Alarms Used by Wheelchair Users for Missed Assistance at Tube and Railway Stations

This is a follow-up to my previous article about Transport for London (TfL), in which a response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request mentioned the use of Passenger Emergency Alarms (PEA) by wheelchair users in the event of missed assistance at Tube and railway stations.

The FOI response below provides detailed information, such as the height of the PEAs and the Call For Aid (CFA) help points inside some of their trains.

Request ID: FOI-2221-2425
Date published: 04 November 2024

Why is It Important for the London Borough Councils to Be Competent in Issuing Freedom Pass (a Free TfL Travel Concession) for the Disabled People?

Different types of Freedom Passes
Page from TfL's Staff Guide to Fares and Ticketing

I have been suggesting to myself on writing an article in the past several months about this because there has been a ‘postcode lottery’ when it comes to the disabled people applying for a Freedom Pass with the London Borough Council to travel on TfL services and various National Rail services in Greater London.

I've been researching through the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) website, and I’m quite disappointed to see multiple cases where the London Borough Councils have been incompetent in issuing Freedom Passes to the disabled people.

Just to clarify that I am not an expert in this issue, and the purpose is to show my research into my article and comment about it.

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