Andrew Dismore

Route 13

Route 13 is affected by several on-going roadworks and regularly by events in Central London, which unfortunately can impact route reliability and performance.

When we spoke, it had been suggested that there were complaints of drivers getting lost; however, this is not a complaint that has been brought to the attention either of the operator or TfL. Since the end of April 2017, there have been an average of 14 driver complaints and 11 reliability complaints per period (4 weeks).

Re: early terminations, when buses take longer to complete their journeys than scheduled it is a standard service control technique to manage the service through curtailing buses short of their destination. Doing so allows for the recovery of time lost and allows for the controller to regulate the service. Please be assured that the decision to curtail any service is not taken lightly: TfL knows that it impacts not only customers but also its own performance metrics. If curtailments do not improve overall service to customers, such a move serves no purpose.

The contract with the operator, Tower Transit, started on 1 April 2017. On 12 August 2017, the operator introduced revised schedules which incorporated extra resource (e.g. buses coming out earlier and staying out later) at a cost of £100k. These costs were absorbed by Tower Transit and not by TfL.

TfL has assured Heidi that it will continue to liaise with the route operator and monitor the performance of the route to seek to minimise the effect on passengers.

Route 384

TfL consulted on proposed changes to route 384 between November and September 2018. 1,378 responses were received to the consultation which are currently being considered. The feedback received by TfL was varied and it plans to conclude its findings this spring. If alternative proposals are developed, they may be subject to further consultation.

Route 274

Demand on route 274 is rising so in September 2018 TfL changed the buses from single deck vehicles to electric hybrid double deck vehicles.

This change means TfL runs a cleaner fleet along the route and provides sufficient capacity for the high demand from ZSL London Zoo customers, in particular at weekends when the route is the busiest. Different vehicle types are only introduced on suitable roads in line with highway requirements, working with boroughs to make minor road layout modifications if necessary.

I had also noted down a question with respect to the weight of buses: unladen, a single deck diesel weighs approximately 7500kg, and a fully electric single deck weighs approximately 12000kg. A double deck diesel weighs unladen between 11500kg – 12000kg and electric double deck approximately 13000kg.

Night buses

TfL publishes annual boardings for all bus routes online, including night services, by year. This information is available online at: https://tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/bus-service-usage.xlsx

Do let me know if there are further route-specific questions that aren’t included in the data.

Route 125

Following consultation, TfL does intend to extend the route 125 between Finchley Central and Colindale, using Greyhound Hill. The revised route has been subject to route testing. With respect to the bus stops at Finchley Central, TfL is considering the representations it has received and will come to a final view this spring.

TfL has a rigorous route testing process and uses this to identify any issues that would risk the safety of a bus service. If no measures to overcome these risks can be found, then the service change will not go ahead.  If ways are overcoming them are identified, then following design a further route test is undertaken to confirm that the measures have overcome the identified issue.

Route 303/305 (merged)

TfL’s consultation on the merging of the 302 and 305 received 514 responses, including 493 from members of the public and 21 from affected stakeholders. The consultation report is available online here. 28% supported our proposals to merge routes 303 and 305. 23% did not support them while 12% provided no response. TfL concluded that merging the routes offered the best possible outcome for customers by removing the inefficient duplication with the 302 while maintaining a bus service on all roads currently served. It also provides better links to the Colindale growth area, which we will become increasingly attractive to customers in the coming years due to the high level of development in the area.

The route has been on diversion while work was carried out by the LBs Brent and Barnet. The work by LB Brent at Capitol Way has been completed and a final route test can be carried out once LB Barnet installs appropriate parking restrictions on Corner Mead.

Hopper bus for Finchley Memorial Hospital

TfL’s position on a service to Finchley Memorial Hospital remains as before. TfL is always looking at how it can improve access to hospitals across London. Unfortunately, this site is difficult to access as it is set back from the road. Therefore any of the nearby routes would require a relatively long diversion into the site which would have impacts on the wider route, including journey times. There are also relatively few people travelling here and TfL must prioritise improving hospital access where the greatest demand is.

TfL continually reviews its routes and demand, and if there is evidence of a significant increase in demand TfL can consider a change here. Buses are the flexible form of transport and TfL will continue to keep this under review, as it does in relation to hospital access across London.

Route 240

As before, TfL continually reviews its routes and demand, and if there is evidence of a significant increase in demand TfL can consider a change. TfL is monitoring demand on this route and there are no indications of problems at present.

Route 113

As TfL set out in its consultation report available here, it plans to withdraw route 113 between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch in line with the phased opening of the Elizabeth line and changes will be made in conjunction with the opening of the new line.