London's bus network is facing a crisis, with a shocking revelation that Sadiq Khan is spending a whopping £1 billion annually to keep it afloat. But here's where it gets controversial: this massive subsidy is necessary due to a 20% drop in passenger numbers and soaring costs.
Transport for London (TfL) is now planning a major overhaul, aiming to "simplify" the central London bus routes. This means some routes will be shortened or eliminated altogether, primarily to avoid unnecessary overlaps and reduce the number of empty buses on the roads.
The level of subsidy has doubled in the last decade, jumping from £659 million in 2016/17 to a staggering £1.19 billion this year. A TfL spokesperson explained, "Buses are essential for all Londoners, especially those with lower incomes, but the network is facing challenges with declining ridership."
One of the biggest concerns for bus operators is the slow speeds caused by gridlocked roads. TfL's draft business plan highlights the significant increases in bus costs, coupled with reduced bus journeys, leading to an annual subsidy of over £1 billion.
According to City Hall data, there were 1,794 million bus journeys in the 12 months to October, a decrease of 70 million (4%) compared to the previous year. In just six years, bus ridership has fallen by nearly 20%, resulting in 401 million fewer journeys.
The Tube has long been profitable, and this revenue, along with funds from the Ulez and congestion charge, is used to subsidize the bus network. However, only 60% of adult bus passengers pay the full fare, largely due to travel concessions like the 60+ Oyster and Freedom Pass.
TfL's business plan also dashes the mayor's hopes of achieving an all-electric bus fleet by 2030. Instead, they estimate only 6,000 zero-emission buses by 2030, as additional government funding for battery-electric buses has not been secured.
TfL boasts the largest zero-emission bus fleet in Western Europe, but it lags behind several Chinese cities and even Delhi and Moscow. A recent example of TfL's challenges is the launch of the SL11 Superloop route, using the existing "New Routemaster" or "Boris buses," which are among the least environmentally friendly diesel hybrids.
TfL aims to grow its zero-emission fleet "as quickly and affordably as possible." As of January 3rd, there were 2,738 zero-emission buses in London, comprising about 30% of the capital's fleet. New electric buses have been introduced on routes 141, 188, 341, and W8.
Sir Sadiq remains committed to launching a new publicly owned bus company in London. Currently, TfL subcontracts all bus routes to private firms, with contracts typically lasting 5-7 years.
TfL's draft business plan, valid until 2029/30, promises to "reimagine" London's bus routes. It aims to reduce bus operating costs by setting targets to decrease bus journey times and improve overall performance, thus requiring fewer buses.
Over the next few years, TfL expects to expand outer London bus services while reducing some central and inner London services to match changing demand. They will implement improved bus priority and traffic reduction measures to enhance reliability and journey times, especially on the simplified inner London network.
TfL Commissioner Andy Lord stated, "We will reimagine London's bus network, assessing how we contract services to achieve the best standards and value for money, ensuring the network meets London's changing needs."
Sir Sadiq added, "This plan will deliver faster, safer, and cleaner buses."
And this is the part most people miss: the future of London's bus network is uncertain, and the debate over its sustainability and funding is far from over. What are your thoughts on the matter? Do you think the proposed changes will improve the network, or is there a better solution? We'd love to hear your opinions in the comments!
