Improving door-to-door transport in London: Next steps

The London Assembly Transport Committee has investigated the state of London’s door-to-door services several times in recent years.

In 2009 we wrote to TfL about ongoing problems with Dial-a-Ride, following a large number of complaints from service users.

We carried out an investigation the following year, conducting a survey of door-to-door users and holding a public meeting at City Hall to gather their views.

This month we made a formal submission to a Transport for London review of door-to-door services - ‘Improving door-to-door transport in London: Next steps’ (attached). Our investigation has found more efficiency and integration is essential and some serious issues need to be urgently addressed.

The Committee has made short, medium and long term recommendations to the Mayor and TfL.

Some of the key findings include;

Dial-a-Ride performance has improved but is still below required levels and there has been no increase in efficiency.

An underspend in the Taxicard budget for the past two years; higher costs have been imposed on passengers and usage of the service is falling.

Capital Call service is facing closure by TfL, but as yet there is no clear plan for alleviating the effect of this.

NHS Patient Transport services are below expected standards in many parts of London, and need to be reviewed urgently.

Read the report below.