September 2017 Transport MQT answers
| T Charge publicity
Question No: 2017/3677 Andrew Dismore What are you doing to publicise the forthcoming T charge to London motorists, whose cars may not meet the emissions standards and thus be liable for the charge? Written response from the Mayor There is a comprehensive public information campaign appearing across:
– local, regional, national and trade media – Digital display advertising on third party websites – Posters on the roadside and across the Tube network and on petrol forecourt screens
In addition, emails have been sent to 152,337 drivers of cars and other vehicle types who are registered on Transport for London’s (TfL’s) Congestion Charging database and a further 67,872 emails using third party commercially available data.
Detailed information including a vehicle checker is also available on the TfL website.
The advertising campaign started in the week commencing 17 July and will continue after the T Charge goes live on 23 October.
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| Rail fares
Question No: 2017/3678 Andrew Dismore What can you do to ameliorate the impact of the high increases on next year’s non- TfL rail fares? Written response from the Mayor Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly. |
Step free access: West Hampstead tube [1]
Question No: 2017/3693
Andrew Dismore
Further to Question No: 2017/3274:
Further to Question No: 2017/2923
What is the present position in responding to local demands for this?
Your response being:
Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.
Will you now provide a substantive reply?
Your response being:
‘Please see my response to MQ 2017/2923.’
As that response is a circular one, to repeat the same answer
‘Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.’
Do you not agree with me that answer is disingenuous, and as I have now been awaiting a reply for several months, don’t you think it is time to give a substantive reply; and will you now give one?
Written response from the Mayor
Please see my response to MQs 2017/3274 and 2017/2923, which can be found at:
http://questions.london.gov.uk/QuestionSearch/searchclient/questions/question_294994.
This answer had been submitted to the Assembly before you submitted this question.
I am committed to increasing the number of step-free stations across the network to make the Tube more accessible. In December 2016, I announced a £200m fund to make more than 30 Tube stations step free over the next five years.
TfL has examined the possibility of providing step-free access at West Hampstead station in the past. I understand it is an extremely complex location: the layout of the ticket hall and the wider station presents significant constraints. There are significant limitations because it is an island platform surrounded by a very busy operational railway that must be maintained in service. The installation of lifts must also be done in a way which safeguards the potential for future capacity enhancement works should they be needed. TfL has concluded that to install a lift the existing station would have to be comprehensively remodelled (and closed for the duration) and there would need to be a second station entrance constructed elsewhere.
TfL has estimated that costs are likely to be well in excess of £15m, and delivering the scheme would be dependent on securing a partnership with a third party. TfL is commissioning a feasibility study for this station, and following its outcomes, TfL and Camden Council will be discussing next steps.
Finchley Memorial Hospital
Question No: 2017/3695
Andrew Dismore
Further to Question No: 2017/3285:
Further to Question No: 2017/2932:
What work has TfL done to examine the viability of extending the 383 bus route to Finchley Memorial Hospital, and what was the outcome of their investigations?
Your response being:
Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.
Will you now provide a substantive reply?
Your response being:
‘Please see my response to MQ 2017/2932′
As that response is a circular one, to repeat the same answer
‘Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.’
Do you not agree with me that answer is disingenuous, and as I have now been awaiting a reply for several months, don’t you think it is time to give a substantive reply; and will you now give one?
Written response from the Mayor
Please see my response to MQ 2017/ 2932, which can be found at:
http://questions.london.gov.uk/QuestionSearch/searchclient/questions/question_294621
This answer had been submitted to the Assembly before you submitted this question
TfL’s findings can be viewed in TfL’s recent publication ‘Review of Bus Services to London Hospitals’ (http://content.tfl.gov.uk/csopp-20170713-part-1-item06-review-of-bus-services-to-londons-hospitals.pdf), which examines current and potential new bus links for London hospitals.
TfL has estimated that extending route 383 from Woodside Park to Finchley Memorial Hospital would cost an extra £180,000 per year and would require a bus stand and turning point to be provided at the hospital. Access could be achieved by the NHS making alterations to the car park or the drop-off point at the hospital entrance. TfL also estimates that around 100-150 extra passengers would use an extended service each day, making the net cost of the change to the route around £120,000 per year.
TfL will provide a full update on the status of the various hospital bus route priorities in due course.
| 13 Bus [1]
Question No: 2017/3696 Andrew Dismore Why was the contract for the 13 bus route to replace the 82 route awarded to a new company whose drivers do not know the route? Written response from the Mayor All the routes on London’s bus network are competitively tendered to achieve best value. As a result, sometimes a route can move between operators. This model provides London with one of the most extensive, well-connected and reliable networks in the world.
When an established wins a new route, they must familiarise drivers with the stops and layover points. If you have specific examples where drivers do not appear to know the route well enough, TfL will of course look into these for you.
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| 13 Bus [2]
Question No: 2017/3697 Andrew Dismore As there is inadequate seating for the many elderly or disabled passengers, what access requirements were assessed in awarding the contract for the 13 bus route? Written response from the Mayor Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly. |
| 13 Bus [3]
Question No: 2017/3698 Andrew Dismore What induction is given to drivers to learn the 13 bus route and to slow down for bus stops which currently is not always happening? Written response from the Mayor All drivers are trained on the route they are expected to work on, and route number 13 is no exception.
All 25,000 drivers in the bus fleet are attending a two-day customer experience course called Hello London, which looks at common frustrations such as buses not stopping.
If there are specific complaints about an incident on a certain day, Transport for London is happy to look into these and take them up with the bus operating company. |
13 Bus [4]
Question No: 2017/3699
Andrew Dismore
How many complaints have been made to TFL about the 13 bus since it replaced the 82 route?
Written response from the Mayor
There were 218 complaints about Route 13, including the replacement of the 82 service, from April to September. There were 73 in April, and this has fallen sharply with 24 being recorded in August. In the first week in September, TfL had received five complaints.
Bus stop FJ in Swiss Cottage
Question No: 2017/3700
Andrew Dismore
Bus Stop FJ has been temporarily sited outside Mullion Court, 112 Finchley Road. Residents of Mullion Court have now been informed that the bus stop will retained in this location permanently, with no consultation and against the wishes of the residents. Will you endeavour to reinstall the bus stop at the original location, or at least not outside 112 Finchley Road?
Written response from the Mayor
Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.
Bus route contracts [1]
Question No: 2017/3701
Andrew Dismore
What criteria do TfL apply when awarding contracts to run bus routes and where are the criteria published?
Written response from the Mayor
Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.
Bus route contracts [2]
Question No: 2017/3702
Andrew Dismore
Where do TfL publish their reasons for awarding contracts on bus routes, and if not will you consider it?
Written response from the Mayor
Transport for London provides general feedback to operators on how it has arrived at contract award decisions. It would not publish the reasons as this could include commercially sensitive information relating to individual operators.
