London buses 'need urgent improvement' and 'aren't fast enough', report claims

London's transport watchdog has urged TfL to reduce journey times and improve passenger safety in a new report. London TravelWatch claims bus ridership is below the level it should be, setting out five key recommendations ahead of the Mayor's transport strategy update in summer next year.

These are improving bus operations, enhancing communication with passengers, improving passenger experience, working better with boroughs and continuing to promote innovation. With 64 per cent of trips in London currently made by walking, cycling or public transport, the independent watchdog said these measures would help Sadiq Khan to reach his target of 80 per cent by 2041.

The report states that although bus ridership dropped during the COVID pandemic, it held up more strongly than other types of public transport such as the London Underground or trains. This is against a backdrop of declining average bus speeds and cuts to the number of kilometres that buses are scheduled to run.

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London TravelWatch carried out three phases of research including surveying more than 1,500 people online, interviewing people on the bus and on focus groups, and analysing external data to find out the wider operational context of the London bus network.

About one in five respondents said they are using the bus more frequently than they did before the COVID pandemic. However, nine percent of people surveyed said they were less likely to use the bus over the next 12 months - citing slow journey times, bus unreliability and too much antisocial behaviour as they key reasons behind this decision.

TfL has been urged to consider attracting these people who use the bus less often to increase its ridership. The watchdog says people who use the bus between two to eight times a month and infrequent users who travel about once a month account for about three in five Londoners.

London TravelWatch adds that 20 per cent of people in the study said they would use buses more if some of its key recommendations were enacted. Referencing the three in five Londoners who uses buses between once and eight times a month, the report says: “If this significant combined group of people can be persuaded to make one or two more bus journeys a week or even per month, that would make a big difference overall, especially if they were switching from using a private vehicle. TfL has claimed that over 15% of the 10 million car trips made daily in London could easily be made by bus.”

A spotlight on bus speeds and their relation to journey times is arguably what London TravelWatch believes will make the biggest difference to bus ridership. Buses currently travel at an average speed of just 6.6mph in the City of London, while the highest average speed of any borough is 12.3mph in Hillingdon.

Since 2013 every London borough has seen a reduction in bus speeds, with the worst-affected Merton recording a drop off of 10 per cent. To combat this, the watchdog says TfL needs to go further than its efforts already to introduce 25km of new bus lanes by the end of 2025.

It says more potential areas for bus lanes should be identified, an increase in the operating hours of bus lanes, undertaking a signal timing review to prioritise buses and removing some parking spaces to make more room for buses.

Additionally it says TfL should continue to expand the orbital Superloop network where possible and improve coordination for roadworks.

To enhance communication with passengers London TravelWatch says more countdown screens should be introduced at stations. It also says waiting for and travelling on a bus must be made safer, more secure and more comfortable.

Lastly, the watchdog says TfL should set out what a meaningful programme of engagement with London boroughs looks like to improve communication, along with setting out the current initiatives focused on ideas about improving bus services.

Michael Roberts, CEO of London TravelWatch, said: “Buses are a lifeline to many in the capital, particularly among those for whom affordability and accessibility are priorities. But with average speeds barely over 9mph, they are simply not getting passengers to where they need to be quickly enough and, while ridership is increasing post-Covid, it is still below that of a decade ago.

“If there is to be any chance of meeting the Mayor’s target for 80 percent of all trips in London to be made on foot, by bike or public transport by 2041, then bus services need urgent improvement. Just taking one extra bus trip each month would make a significant difference."

“We want to see TfL working more closely with London boroughs to speed up the roll out of bus priority measures, thus improving journey times and protecting this vital service.”

Transport for London stated that it has welcomed the report from the watchdog and will examine its findings.

Lorna Murphy, TfL's Director of Buses, said: “London's bus network plays a vital role in enabling people to travel sustainably and affordably and we're working hard to make it even better. This includes investment in new bus lanes, our pioneering Lane Rental scheme using fees from utility companies to minimise the impact of roadworks on Londoners and other measures to give buses priority on the roads.

“We are also developing more zero emission buses with innovative features to improve customer experience and continuing work to make the network safer through our comprehensive bus safety programme.”

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