Improving London’s buses

Every weekday about 6.3 million passengers use London’s buses and three quarters of all journeys are wholly outside of the central area, providing key links between suburban towns.

Safer and more reliable journeys

The iBus system provides next stop visual displays and audio announcements on the bus so that passengers know exactly where they are and when to get off. This has particular benefits for visually or hearing impaired passengers and infrequent travellers. An additional 2,000 countdown signs are scheduled for roll-out across bus stops by 2013, so more people will know exactly when to expect their next bus.

Phasing out bendy buses

The Mayor believes bendy buses are not suitable for the city, as they are too long for many London streets and cyclists often find them intimidating. He was elected on a clear mandate to scrap them. This process is well under way and will be completed by 2011.

21st century Routemaster

The Mayor launched a competition to design a new Routemaster – the famous red double-decker London bus. The new Routemaster fit for the 21st century will be in service in time for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Find out more about the New Bus for London

Improving accessibility

Accessibility on the bus network has improved. More than 8,000 buses make up the fleet and they are now all wheelchair accessible (except the Heritage Routemasters).

45% of bus stops provide ‘step free’ access and TfL will continue a programme to make more bus stops in London accessible.

Greening the fleet

London’s bus network is becoming greener. Read more about it in the Green Transport section