Brent’s Liberal Democrats have launched a campaign with Caroline Pidgeon AM to ease overcrowding on the 245 Bus route, in an attempt to make life easier for those travelling at peak times.
The popular route is particularly congested in the morning rush hour between 7 and 9am, and again in the evenings after around 4pm, according to Lib Dem Councillor Daniel Brown, the Council’s Lead Member for Highways and Transportation.
Councillor Brown says the 245 is used by students at various schools including Wembley Technology College, the new Wembley Academy and Preston Manor School. At the same time, many passengers are travelling to and from work. Conditions on the single-decker services are nearly always crammed, it can be difficult to board the bus, and on many occasions stops are missed, says the Councillor – who represents Alperton ward.
As a result, the London Mayor has now confirmed that TfL will investigate the issue, and look into a suggestion from Lib Dem London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon that double-decker buses might instead be run, to increase capacity at key times.
Councillor Daniel Brown, Brent’s Lead Member for Transportation, commented:
"There have been problems for a while on the 245 with overcrowding in Sudbury and Wembley areas. Given the level of demand at peak times on a route that serves a number of local schools, it’s only sensible to look at how to make people’s journeys more comfortable on a daily basis. This could be done either by running double-deckers on the route, or by increasing the frequency of the service".
"I am delighted that this service will be reviewed and the possibility of double decker buses considered" added Lib Dem Transport Spokesperson Caroline Pidgeon AM.
Question from Caroline Pidgeon, Lib Dem Assembly member, to the London Mayor:
There is significant overcrowding reported on the 245 bus between Sudbury Town Station and Brent Town Hall, partly due to large numbers of school pupils, in morning peak hours, leaving waiting passengers unable to board at stops leading up to Wembley High Technical College. Could TfL talk to First Group about operating a double decker bus on this route at these times?Answer from the Mayor:
TfL will investigate this issue and let you know the outcome in the New Year.