The London Assembly Transport Committee has launched a report, The Future Of London's Buses, setting out a number of questions to the Mayor about how he will guarantee the future of the capital’s world-class bus service despite large cuts to the bus subsidy.
The report captures a range of views expressed at a seminar hosted by the Committee to debate both the benefits of the bus service and how any changes to it would impact on Londoners.
Buses are by far the most popular mode of public transport in London, catering for nearly two billion journeys each year. However, despite a growing population, and for the first time in several decades, the bus network is not anticipated to expand at all between now and 2012. Over the next eight years, the bus subsidy will be cut by a third, from £700 million in 2008/09 to £450 million in 2017/18.
At the seminar, TfL argued that it was important not to be complacent about the huge amount of funding the bus service receives. TfL Board Member Steven Norris said there may be further scope for efficiency savings and changes to how the network operates that would not impact significantly on people’s ability to get around.
Caroline Pidgeon AM, Chair of the Transport Committee, said:
"We heard from our guests that buses are integral to the capital’s transport network. They are the most affordable and accessible form of public transport and many Londoners simply could not get around without them.
“The prospect of a cut in subsidy leading to changes to routes and longer waits at bus stops for less frequent buses will be very worrying, particularly to those who cannot afford to travel on the Tube or trains.
“While it is important that the bus service is efficient and delivers value for money, we are asking the Mayor to explain the impact of his decision to cut the subsidy and to offer some reassurance that it will not have a detrimental effect on the quality or coverage of the network.”
The seminar highlighted how important buses are to Londoners, particularly to people on low incomes, and those whose working hours make it difficult to use trains or the Tube. Buses also help to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by enabling people to get around without a car, particularly in the suburbs.
In light of the findings from the seminar, 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 including 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 Committee will build its findings into its future work on scrutinising the implementation of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy.