307 bus

Meeting:

MQT on 2013-02-25

Session date:

February 25, 2013

Reference:

2013/0514

Question By:

Andrew Dismore

Organisation:

Labour Group

Asked Of:

The Mayor

Category:

Transport

Question

The 307 end of route point was changed to Barnet Hospital by TfL to help passengers from the Enfield area- but in doing so inconvenienced a large number of people who used the previous route. In making the change TfL failed to consult those users from Barnet, and did not take into account their views. If they had done so, TfL could have accommodated both Enfield and Barnet users by tweaking their proposals for the route not such wholesale change. TfL could keep the Barnet hospital termination point, but instead of turning down left into Wellhouse Lane, the bus could continue along Wood Street and left down Elmbank Avenue and then left into Wellhouse Lane and then up to the hospital. The bus could then perform the route in reverse. As well as maintaining and improving the service for both Barnet and Enfield bus users, it would be better for bus drivers too, as under the new route, getting out of Wellhouse Lane at peak times is difficult. Do you agree with this assessment and will you ask TfL to implement this proposal?

Answer

Answer for 307 bus

Answered By:

The Mayor

Date:

Thursday, 28th February 2013

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Written answer received on 11 April 2013.

TfL acknowledges the concerns of the passengers who previously used this service from the Arkley Hotel. TfL did undertake a full consultation prior to the change, including residents from Arkley, as well as on TfL's website. All responses were fully considered before a decision was made to proceed with the scheme.

The changes were designed to improve links with Barnet General Hospital from both Barnet and Enfield. There are now around 400 passenger trips starting at the hospital on a typical weekday, which could well grow depending on the way NHS changes are implemented. Before the change there were approximately 180 passengers boarding route 307 on a typical weekday at the Arkley Hotel. Around 115 of these can use route 107 for their trip and approximately 65 now need to change buses at or before New Barnet to complete their journey. Additionally, there were 260 passengers boarding at the Wood Street stop near the top of Wellhouse Lane, a relatively short walk from stops served by route 307. The overall benefit of the change is that significantly more passengers are benefitting by having direct access to the hospital grounds. This is particularly important for elderly and disabled passengers, and confirms that serving the hospital has been a success.

TfL has nonetheless considered your suggestion, but this change would increase running times, thus requiring additional resources to provide the service. This would cost in the region of £200,000 per annum. As route 107 already provides a service for residents in Arkley, TfL believes that the suggestion would not be good value for money.