Transport articles

Boris Johnson's bus route changes bring more overcrowding to South London

Two key bus routes which run from Lewisham, through Southwark, Lambeth and into Westminster are set to become far more crowded, predicts Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly transport spokesperson.

The Mayor and Transport for London are now planning huge changes to the timetable for the 436 and 453 bus routes, when new buses replace the current bendy buses.

Through detailed research Caroline Pidgeon has revealed that the new bus routes will cause a serious reduction in bus capacity (the number of people who can sit, or safely stand on a bus) on the 436 bus route of:

Success in campaign for guide dogs on Tube escalators

Following campaigning by Caroline Pidgeon for guide dogs to be allowed on tube escalators, Transport for London and the Government have formally lifted the ban. With effect from 5th October, trained assistance dogs for disabled people will be legally allowed on Tube, DLR and Overground escalators.

Caroline told the Evening Standard:

The ban on visually impaired people being able to take guide dogs on to moving escalators on the Tube and other parts of London’s transport network is outdated and wrong.

Mayor's Routemaster record - £7.8m for just five buses

Talking to the Evening Standard about the Mayor's hurry to get new Routemaster buses on the road in time for next year's mayoral election, Caroline Pidgeon commented:

Boris Johnson was elected back in 2008 on a clear pledge to Londoners that he would introduce a brand new Routemaster with conductors.

His actual record sees bus fares hiked up by 55 per cent, more overcrowding and £7.8 million spent on just five Routemaster buses.

You can read the full article here.

Mayor's roadworks "action" is an election gimmick

Talking to the Evening Standard about the Mayor's recently announced policy to "name and shame" firms responsible for disruptive or neglected roadworks, Caroline Pidgeon said:

After three and a half years in City Hall the Mayor should have slashed roadworks by now. Instead we have just another set of gimmicks as we approach next year's elections. It is action, not words that matter when it comes to tackling London's chronic congestion.

Tube delays cost passengers over 6 million hours last year

Launching the London Assembly Transport Committee's report into the performance of the Tube - which highlighted a 20% increase in delays over the last year - Caroline Pidgeon commented:

Passengers spent an extra six-and-a-half million hours on the Tube in 2010/11 because of the increased number of delays, this is clearly unacceptable and a drag on London’s economy.

We know delays on the Underground have fallen overall since 2003, but TfL must ensure that last year’s 20 per cent dip in performance is a blip - not a disturbing sign of things to come.

There is also no room for complacency when it comes to delivering value for money on Tube maintenance and upgrades. London is a world class city and it has a right to expect a standard of efficiency from TfL that compares favourably to other metro systems across the globe.

Four years of fare misery under Boris Johnson

Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on Boris Johnson’s fare proposals for 2012, which he confirmed today will be set at RPI plus 2 per cent, said:

“This is the fourth year of fare misery that Londoners will face under Boris Johnson.

“He has already hit Londoners hard by hiking up bus fares from 90 pence to £1.30 for a single fare since he arrived at City Hall. Today’s further rise will really hit hard many people, especially those on low incomes.

“Boris Johnson has failed to tackle effective action to tackle fare evasion or cut waste which is widespread throughout TfL. If the Mayor got on top of these issues there would be no need for such severe fare rises, especially for low income Londoners.

The Mayor doesn't take river transport seriously

Commenting on the plan for a three month closure of Greenland Pier in Rotherhithe - used by many commuters for the Thames Clippers ferry service, Caroline Pidgeon said:

People always overlook the river. It's such an important means of travel for so many people and this pier closing for three months is really bad news.

It shows the Mayor doesn't take river transport as seriously as others do.

How do the passengers get around while these works are on? They wouldn't close a Tube or rail station without making adequate provisions.

Quiet carriages should be seriously looked at

Talking to the Evening Standard about calls for TfL to introduce "quiet carriages" on Tube and Overground services, like those that exist on National Rail, Caroline Pidgeon commented:

We cannot underestimate the impact noise has on Londoners. Creating quiet carriages should be seriously looked at.

There are many practical reasons why it might be difficult to introduce, but such arguments were once used to dismiss people wishing to avoid tobacco smoke on the Tube.

Far more still needs to be done on Oyster overcharging

Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on Transport for London’s new facility for Oyster pay as you go customers who occasionally forget to touch out at the end of their Tube, DLR Overground or National Rail journeys, said:

"After many months of campaigning to highlight the scandal of Oyster overcharging it is good news that they are at last beginning to accept that a problem even exists.

“It is however regrettable that the new system only addresses just one form of Oyster overcharging caused by people who occasionally forget to touch out.

Out with Southeastern

Caroline spent an afternoon out with Charles Horton from Southeastern train operating company, and Graham, a train driver trainer, to discuss issues to do with Southeastern trains and to experience life in the driver’s cab.

“It was very interesting to see first hand some of the challenges drivers face negotiating in and out of stations such as London Bridge and Victoria. Drivers receive detailed training over many months and are always alert to potential hazards on the tracks”.

“I also discussed with Mr Horton issues from ticketing at stations to improved relations with passengers and of course the Olympic timetable” commented Caroline.

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