My Suggestions To Help Create The Most Accessible Zero-Emission Bus For London And Elsewhere!

Last updated 12th March 2024

As the UK Government is currently undergoing a consultation to review the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000, to which the deadline for submissions is 11:45pm on 4 September 2023, I have decided to write a response, not just to the consultation but also to inspire transport authorities, bus manufacturers, bus operators, etc. to improve accessibility for new buses in London, the UK and elsewhere. Bear in mind though, I’m not an expert at vehicle design.

So here are my suggestions to create the most accessible zero-emission bus for London and elsewhere.

London Bus Tender Awards: New Zero-Emission Electric Buses For Routes 206, 210, 306, 379, 382, C11, S3, W7 & W8

Thames Gateway Transit livery on a double-deck bus. Image by TfL.

As we are in the middle of August 2023, Transport for London has announced the new London Bus Tender Awards where routes 206, 210, 306, 379, 382, C11, S3, W7 and W8 will be using new electric buses by next year (2024).

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

London Bus Tender Awards: Electric Buses For Route 143 And New Routemasters To Continue On Routes 253/N253 and 254

As we are approaching the end of July 2023, the London Bus Tender Awards have revealed that route 143 will convert to new single-deck electric buses, and routes 253/N253 and 254 will continue to use New Routemasters.

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

London Bus Tender Awards: New Electric Buses For Routes 58, 113/N113 & 277/N277, And New Routemasters For Route 215

As we are in the middle of July 2023, the London Bus Tender Awards has revealed that routes 58, 113/N113 and 277/N277 will be served using new double-deck electric buses, and route 215 will be converted to a three-door, two-staircase hybrid bus named New Routemaster.

London Bus Tender Awards: New Electric Buses For Routes 101, 262, 396, 439, 473 & E6

Route branding livery for London Bus Express Route X26

As we are in July 2023, Transport for London has announced on the new London Bus Tender Awards that routes 101, 262, 396, 439, 473 and E6 will be using new electric buses by next year (2024).

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

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.

London Bus Tender Awards: New Zero-Emission Electric Buses For Routes 39, 325, S2 & W11

The first London Bus Tender Awards for June 2023 have revealed that the New Routemasters will continue on routes 19, 76, and 259, while routes 39, 325, S2, and W11 will be served with new electric single-deck buses.

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

London Bus Tender Awards: Routes 133, 279 & 333 To Convert To New Electric Buses And New Routemasters To Continue On Routes 59, 137 and East London Transit Services

Drawing of the New Routemaster with East London Transit livery

The new London Bus Tender Awards have revealed routes 133, 279, and 333 will soon be using brand new zero-emission electric buses, and the three-door, two-staircase hybrid New Routemasters are retained on routes 59, 137, and the East London Transit services.

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

List of London Bus Routes Accepting Certain Non-TfL Tickets, National Rail’s PlusBus and English National Concessionary Companion Passes (2023)

A Freedom of Information request to Transport for London (TfL) reveals that London Buses accept certain non-TfL tickets and concessionary companion passes for bus routes that are usually outside the Greater London boundary. Unfortunately, TfL does not publicise this on their Bus and Tram fares page. There’s also no information regarding the use of English National Concessionary Companion Passes on the free and discounted travel page on the TfL website.

London Bus Tender Awards: Bus Operator Uno Gains School Routes 628 and 688 From Sullivan Buses

Here's a quick London Bus Tender Awards, as we see bus operator Uno taking over routes 628 and 688 from Sullivan Buses.

 

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