The future of London's buses

This report from the Assembly's Transport Committee poses a number of questions for the Mayor about how he will guarantee the future of London's world-class bus service despite significant cuts to the bus subsidy. It captures a range of views expressed at a seminar hosted by the committee on 8 December 2009 to debate both the benefits of the bus service and how any changes to it would impact on Londoners.

Read the report below:

The future of London's buses PDF The future of London's buses RTF

Mayoral response PDF Mayoral response RTF

In light of the seminar findings, the committee calls on the Mayor to respond specifically to the following questions:

• Following the KPMG review, what further work are you and TfL now undertaking to implement your plans to reduce expenditure on London’s buses?
• How far is this work covering factors such as the breadth of bus coverage in London and the scope of concessionary fares?
• What formal assessment has been made of the scope to meet a long-term increased demand for buses through increased capacity on other modes of transport and TfL “sweating its assets”?
• What formal assessment has been made of the extent to which home working and flexible work patterns could reduce demand for buses?
• What, if any, cost/benefit analysis of London’s buses has been undertaken that takes account of their wider social and environmental benefits?
• How will you use the findings from our seminar and review of research in developing your approach to London’s buses?

The seminar transcript and research commissioned by the committee into the utility of bus services are also available to view:

Buses seminar transcript PDF Buses seminar transcript RTF

A Review of the Utility of Bus Services in London PDF A Review of the Utility of Bus Services in London RTF