Night Bus changes must not leave passengers worse off
Night Bus services in Islington could face changes this September after the introduction of the Night Tube, Transport for London (TfL) has announced. Local London Assembly Member Jennette Arnold OBE AM warned TfL to be sure their changes don’t leave passengers worse off.
Ms Arnold’s comments come after TfL launched a consultation into changes to the Night Bus to complement the Night Tube from September. Proposals from TfL would see the introduction of 20 new services, but 17 of these would run only on Friday and Saturday evenings. Ms Arnold welcomed the additional routes but said, with the Night Bus providing a cheap and easy way to travel home from work at night, she would like to see the service continued throughout the working week.
Whilst there are currently no proposals to axe entire night bus routes, reductions are planned for 17 routes across London. TfL said the reductions will be made to those routes where passengers were more likely to use the Night Tube. Jennette Arnold OBE AM said TfL must ensure their reductions “don’t leave Londoners feeling less safe.”
Jennette Arnold OBE AM also called on TfL to boost passengers safety by providing real time Night Bus information at Night Tube stations so that passengers have the choice of waiting there for the next bus.
Commenting on the proposals, London Assembly Member Jennette OBE AM said:
“The Night Tube will be fantastic for Islington and for London but many local people will still rely on night buses to get them that much closer to their front door.
“Whilst I welcome that TfL aren’t planning on axing any routes entirely we will need to be absolutely sure their reductions in frequency don’t leave Londoners feeling less safe.
“Nobody wants to see passengers forced to wait long times at secluded bus stops or walk long distances home from the tube station at night.
“One option would be for TfL to ensure real time Night Bus information is available at all Night Tube stations so passengers have the choice of waiting there.”
“It’s great to see that some new services will be running in, but with night buses providing a cheap and easy way to travel home from work at night, ideally I’d want to see the service continued throughout the working week.”
ENDS