Night bus services on some routes could be scaled back under plans set out by Transport for London (TfL) yesterday.
The frequency of buses on seventeen of the capital’s night bus routes could reduce significantly, according to TfL’s consultation webpage (2). The bus routes in question are: 14, 88, 94, 134, N5, N8, N9, N20, N29, N38, N73, N91, N97, N98, N155, N207, N1.
TfL do plan to introduce some additional bus services designed to ferry people to and from tube stations during the night. However, Darren Johnson AM has raised concerns that TfL’s proposals to cut the number of buses on other established routes could cause inconvenience and extra expense to people who need to get around the city at night.
Darren Johnson AM commented,
“Whilst the introduction of night tube services is a welcome move, I am concerned that cuts to night buses could disadvantage some Londoners. Not everyone is going to want to use the tube at night. Some passengers have told me they would always prefer to travel on a near-empty bus rather than a deserted tube carriage as they can take a seat near the driver. Passengers with disabilities cannot access many tube stations at present and therefore also use buses instead.”
“I am also concerned that these changes will force people into paying more for their journeys. A night worker may currently take one night bus at a cost of £1.50 to get to work, knowing they don’t need to wait too long for a bus to come along. If their bus service becomes much less frequent, they could be forced to add a £2.80 tube trip on to get to work on time. This will mean they have to pay £4.30 for the same journey in from zone 3 and change from one mode of transport to another as well.”
“I have urged the Mayor to consider very carefully how any changes to night bus services could impact on Londoners. Not everyone will want or be able to use the tube at night and these people should not be penalised as a result of the introduction of the night tube.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
1. Darren Johnson AM is available for comment
2. TfL’s consultation webpage can be accessed here: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/night-bus-review/consult_view
3. Darren Johnson AM tabled a formal question to the Mayor of London in February 2015 about the impact of the arrival of the night tube on bus services in the capital: http://questions.london.gov.uk/QuestionSearch/searchclient/questions/question_280966