Improving river services in London

Our update report sets out the four key actions that are needed if the Mayor’s ambition to see passenger journeys on the Thames hit 12 million a year are to become a reality.

Since the Committee’s previous review of river services in 2006, there have been some developments in the expansion of river services and passenger numbers have grown, but the service is still not reaching its full potential.

The Committee believes the potential for further growth is hampered by the absence of a clear strategic plan to drive improvements and a lack of commitment from Transport for London.

The report calls for action in four specific areas to help increase the number of passenger journeys:

1. There should be a TfL owned strategic plan for the development of river services.
2. TfL should demonstrate greater commitment to river services, including appointing a specific representative to its Board.
3. There should be further improvements to piers.
4. There needs to be better publicity, signage, mapping and ticketing to attract more passengers.

Both the Mayor and TfL have responded to our report since its publication. You can see their responses at the bottom of this page.

Watch a short video of Committee Chair Caroline Pidgeon AM talking about the report’s key findings: