Transport for London
Surface Transport
Consultation on bus stopping arrangements:
proposals
April 2007
CONTENTS
A.
Changes to bus stopping custom and practice
B.
Making Hail and Ride services accessible
C.
Informing frontagers of the installation and relocation of bus stops
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A. Changes to bus stopping custom and
practice
CONSULTATION PROPOSAL
TfL have been reviewing the current system of request and compulsory stops in London.
The following outcomes are the subject of this consultation. We propose:
1)
To remove the distinction between compulsory and request stops
This will result in a single approach to the use of all bus stops. Both passengers and
drivers will be affected. The changes are as follows:
When a passenger is waiting at a stop, buses must stop at that stop. Currently, this
is the current practice for compulsory stops, unless the bus is full.
When a passenger is on the bus and wants to get off at the next stop, they must ring
the bell to indicate they want the bus to stop. In effect, this is already the current
practice for most passengers.
Bus drivers will be instructed that they
must stop if:
There are people waiting
There is a possibility that people are waiting
Their view of the bus stop is impaired
Someone has rung the bell
Drivers can only drive past a bus stop if:
No one has rung the bell
They believe
beyond reasonable doubt that no one is waiting at the bus stop
There are passengers waiting at the bus stop, but the bus is full
Proposed implementation date for removal of distinction between stops:
Autumn 2007
Proposed date for changes to the bus stop flag: TfL is establishing the costs and
viability of covering all request stop heads with a temporary white bus stop overlay - as a
short-term measure this will eliminate customer confusion. Longer term, a programme of
replacement would take place as equipment became life-expired or warranted exchange for
some other reason.
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B. Making Hail and Ride services accessible
CONSULTATION PROPOSAL
TfL has reviewed a number of internal procedures and we are now looking to establish these
as part of our policy for making Hail and Ride services accessible. As part of this review, we
are seeking views on the following:
1)
The proposed process being:
Informal discussions and informal site visits will take place between TfL and the
highway authority to assess what might be technically feasible with regard to making
the route accessible. This follows TfL’s internal decision-making processes to review
a route for accessibility.
TfL will write to the highway authority explaining what is proposed and on which
sections of route, enabling the highway authority to brief local councillors.
Site meetings will be held, including local councillors where appropriate, following
which a site meeting report and minutes will be issued.
Plans for works to the highway including hard standing to replace grass, bus
boarders, new clearways or yellow lines, islands, dropped kerbs or other works will be
drawn up.
Frontagers in the immediate vicinity of any works will be informed of the proposed
arrangements, allowing them a 28-day response period.
Proposed implementation date: Autumn 2007
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C. Informing frontagers of the installation and
relocation of bus stops
CONSULTATION PROPOSAL
TfL has reviewed its processes regarding the consultation and informing of changes to bus
stops and shelters. To improve its service delivery, TfL propose changes to its existing
procedures as follows:
TfL will send an information letter to frontagers affected directly when any of the following
apply:
1)
Bus stops implemented on roads being served by a bus route for the first time
2)
Bus stops implemented for the first time where the operation is changing from a Hail
and Ride to fixed stop
3)
Intended relocation of a bus stop or material change to the footprint of the existing
infrastructure
For all of the above, frontagers will receive a letter informing them of the details of the
planned installation or change to the bus stop or shelter. Surface Transport Customer
Services will be the point of contact. They will monitor the responses to ensure they are
received within the required 28-calendar day period and acknowledge the receipt of the reply
from the frontager. Customer Services will manage the preparation and structured response
to the queries raised.
Proposed implementation date: Autumn 2007
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