London travel watchdog’s urge that bus demand review be postponed until fall
Shedding bus routes and cutting frequencies, as part of an agreed bus demand review, has been slammed in a letter to the government by London travel watchdogs.
As part of Transport for London’s (TfL) £1bn bailout, a review of bus demand in the capital was agreed upon.
However, London TravelWatch, London First, the Campaign for Better Transport and Unite urged that it be postponed until the Autumn – when “new normal” levels of commuters will be clearer.
“We are deeply concerned that any review into demand for the bus, train or tube which is conducted before most people have returned to their normal lives will not give an accurate picture of future demand, and may lead to the premature or ill-considered cuts to services,” the letter read.
TfL has to review bus demand in July and September and report back to the Department for Transport as part of the bailout deal.
But bus passenger numbers are currently around 60 to 65 per cent that of pre-pandemic levels.
The Department for Transport also requires TfL to review Tube and Overground passenger numbers.
“We are writing as representatives of passengers, businesses, and workers to express our strong belief that any service cuts made before post-pandemic demand has settled into a ‘new normal’ risks choking the recovery.”
Social distancing
The letter added that the main commuting concern currently is the ability to maintain social distancing, which will be made worse if there are fewer buses.
“Getting on a bus or train that is uncomfortably crowded could prompt transport users to travel by private car or not travel at all,” it said.
“We are deeply concerned that any review into demand for the bus, train or tube which is conducted before most people have returned to their normal lives will not give an accurate picture of future demand, and may lead to the premature or ill-considered cuts to services.”
The letter comes as bus operators were offered £226.5m in government support just yesterday, to ensure services can continue are Covid restrictions are lifted.
Ministers outlined yesterday that the new funding package will run from September until April and will be available to operators across England, outside London.
The latest bout of recovery funding follows the £1bn emergency support package, which is due to end next month.