Buses are the quickest, easiest and cheapest way to create new options for trips made by cars to be switched to public transport. Buses in London are the most used form of public transport, with over 2 billion passenger journeys taken in 2019/20 [2], but the coronavirus pandemic has seen rapid changes in ridership, while bus use overall has been falling since 2014.
Government recovery plans include new funding to ‘Bus Back Better’ and Transport for London (TfL) has published its own Bus Action Plan to improve the quality and quantity of services in London.
But how will TfL’s financial situation affect its ability to implement its Bus Action Plan?
Tomorrow, the London Assembly Transport Committee holds the first meeting of a two-part investigation which aims:
- To better understand TfL’s Bus Action Plan including the aims and the impact this will have on London’s bus services.
- To better understand how the Bus Action Plan will help to deliver the aims of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy.
- To understand the implications of TfL’s finances, including the latest funding agreement, on its ability to deliver the Bus Action Plan.
- To investigate the impact the Bus Action Plan will have on London’s bus passengers and drivers.
- To look at national and international examples of good practice for bus networks.
- To understand what London’s bus passengers want to see from the bus service.
- To assess the impact of bus route consultations upon changes to the bus network.
- To consider previous Committee work on bus services in London and previous recommendations.
The guests are:
- Emma Gibson, Chief Executive at London TravelWatch
- Claire Walters, Chief Executive, Bus Users UK
- Katie Pennick, Campaigns and Policy Manager, Transport for All
- Cyreeta Donaldson, Regional Campaigns Officer London, RNIB
- Silviya Barrett, Head of Policy and Research at Campaign for Better Transport
- John Murphy, Regional Officer, Unite the Union
- Dan Soulsby, retired London bus driver
The meeting will take place on Tuesday, 24 May 2022 from 10.00 am, in The Chamber, at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
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Notes to editors
- Siân Berry AM, Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee is available for interview – see contact details below.
- Page 4 - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uplo…
- Agenda papers
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Alison Bell on 07887 832 918. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer.