Our ref: MH/BSA/0608
Stakeholder Engagement
Surface Transport Communications
Transport for London
18 June 2008
11th Floor, Zone B2, Palestra
197 Blackfriars Road
London SE1 8NJ
Dear Stakeholder
[email address]
Consultation on bus stopping arrangements
We consulted stakeholders in April 2007 about proposed changes to three key
elements of bus stopping arrangements. Having considered the responses
received, I am writing to tell you what we now propose to do.
The changes proposed were:
1. Changes to bus stopping custom and practice
The proposal was to remove the distinction between compulsory and request
stops. Bus drivers would be instructed to stop for boarding or alighting
passengers unless it was clear that no-one wanted to get on or off. This
essentially formalises what has evolved in practice.
81% of respondents were in favour. We propose to implement this change
during Summer 2008. In due course the existing compulsory stop sign will
become standard at all stops. This sign shows a red TfL roundel on a white
background with the words ‘Bus Stop’ underneath.
2. Making hail & ride more accessible
Our proposal recognised that all service providers have a duty to make
services accessible. We will review each Hail & Ride service, and based on the
findings will either:-
convert Hail & Ride to fixed stops
or
make the service fully accessible whilst maintaining Hail & Ride operation. This
might involve measures such as replacing sections of grass with surfaced
pavement for passengers, installing bus boarders, or implementing sections of
yellow line so that buses can get close to the kerb
Making either of these changes will improve accessibility, better meet equality
and inclusion objectives, and reduce confusion for passengers.
88% of respondents were in favour of this proposal. We aim to start the review
process during Summer 2008. We will initially prioritise routes with sections of
hail and ride on three or fewer roads. We will work closely with local councils,
with the level of consultation for each scheme being in accordance with
London Buses Consultation Guidelines.
3. Informing frontagers when we install, remove or move a bus stop
We will send an information letter to affected frontagers when:
we are installing, removing or moving a bus stop
making a material change to the footprint of the existing infrastructure
(for example installing a larger shelter)
In some cases, for example where the change is part of a highway scheme, we
may agree with the local council that they, rather than TfL, will write to
frontagers.
97% of respondents were in favour of this change, and we propose to
implement this shortly. We will write again once a date has been set.
I attach a summary of answers to questions received during the consultation,
and I trust that you will find this informative.
I would like to thank you for contributing to the consultation. Please do contact
me if you have any more questions.
Yours sincerely
Peter Bradley
Head of Stakeholder Engagement
TfL Surface Transport
[email address]
Answers to questions received during consultation
Formalisation of bus stopping custom and practice
How will the new arrangements be
Bus drivers will be instructed to stop for boarding or
publicised?
alighting passengers unless it is clear that no-one
wants to get on or off. This essentially formalises what
has evolved in practice.
Will drivers stop if a verbal request is
Yes. Passengers may ring the bell or ask the driver to
made?
stop as they approach their stop.
Can passengers ask to be told when they
Yes, but bus drivers have much to consider and may
reach their stop?
not always remember. iBus will cover the whole
network by April 2009 and will give audio and visual
announcements as the bus approaches each stop. It
will also announce the start of hail and ride sections of
route.
What will be the process for introducing the
We will change the flags as they become due for
new bus stop flags?
replacement.
What will be the colour scheme for the new
We will be using flags with a red roundel on a white
flags and will they take into account the
background for all stops as they are easier to see. This
requirements of those with disabilities?
is also better aligned to the corporate image across
Transport for London. We also have 3000 illuminated
bus stops.
What impact will the new arrangements
We do not expect them to have any bearing on LIP
have on LIP targets?
targets.
Could the existing distinction between
We believe that having the same criteria for all bus
compulsory and request stops not just be
stops will be simpler and will be the most effective way
better publicised in order to address
of reducing confusion.
confusion?
Why not make all stops request stops?
Compulsory stops are more socially inclusive. Not all
passengers can hail the bus, some may find it difficult
to see the bus number in time, and some may not be
aware that a bus is approaching.
What will happen at stop where the driver's
Drivers will be instructed to stop on all occasions if
view of waiting passengers may be
their view of the bus stop is impaired.
obscured on approaching the stop?
Making hail & ride more accessible
Will we consult passengers and the wider
We will assess the scale and likely impact of individual
community when making changes to
changes and consult on an appropriate scale, as
services?
described in London Buses Consultation Guidelines.
Will individual bus routes be reviewed
Yes - each route will be reviewed in order of priority
before decisions on hail and ride sections
and changes made accordingly.
are made?
Will Hail & Ride routes be withdrawn if it
No. We have no plans to withdraw any services as
proves difficult to install accessible bus
part of this scheme.
stops along the line of route?
Will TfL inform frontagers if information
Information posts are not bus stops so we do not plan
posts are to be installed along sections of
to inform residents. Local authorities may choose to
Hail & Ride routes?
consult on other accessibility improvements such as
surfaced pavements or parking restrictions.
How will TfL enforce parking restrictions
Enforcement of parking restrictions is the responsibility
around bus stops?
of the local highway authority. We will continue to work
closely with councils in order to ensure that buses are
able to pull in to the kerb at bus stops. Bus cages are
designed to allow buses to easily pull up to the kerb.
Have accessibility groups been consulted?
We have written to 44 disabled groups across Greater
London as part of this consultation.
Informing frontagers when we install, remove or move a bus stop
Why are we informing rather than
TfL has a duty to provide a bus service and ensure
consulting?
that as many people as possible can easily access the
bus network, so we have to provide bus stops. Stop
locations are determined using the criteria outlined in
TfL's Accessible Bus Stop Guidelines. Often there will
only be one possible location for a bus stop. We only
consult when there is an opportunity to change
proposals. We will continue to consult on bus shelter
installation.
Why inform residents when this could lead
If people object to a stop location they are likely to
to objections and unnecessary problems?
contact us eventually. Informing residents gives them
advance notice, and will allow us to answer questions
before work begins. It may also alert us to factors that
we were not aware of.
How will we deal with responses from
Although we will be informing residents on bus stops
frontagers?
rather than consulting them, we will take comments
into account wherever possible.
Will Local Authorities be consulted rather
We will continue to consult local authorities about any
than notified?
proposed changes to bus stops. Wherever possible we
attempt to agree stop locations with local authorities
and the police at a site meeting.
How will you decide the boundaries of
Nearby residents will be included with boundaries
residential consultations?
being decided on a case-by-case basis.
Which organisations will be invited to site
We will generally invite council officers and the police
visits and how much notice will be given?
to site visits. Other organisations will be invited where
appropriate. Bus stop location is in accordance with
TfL's Accessible Bus Stop Guidelines - a wide range of
stakeholders including accessibility groups had input
to these. We attempt to arrange site meetings at times
to suit all invited parties.
Will residents be informed about temporary
It would not be practical to undertake this process for
stops?
every short-term change.
Will letters include information about
Letters will include as much of this information as
timescales, bus routes, highway works etc?
possible. We will also provide contact details in case
people want to know more.
How can people obtain copies of letters and
Anyone requiring TfL publicity material in languages
publicity in languages other than English?
other than English can call 0800 2983009.
Will route tests take place before bus stop
TfL's comprehensive Accessible Bus Stop Guidelines
locations are decided?
mean that it is not usually necessary to test proposed
stops with vehicles, although this could be considered
for individual stops if requested.
Is there an appeal process?
Yes - members of the public objecting to stop locations
can approach the Local Government Ombudsman.
