The Anonymous Widower

Improving London’s Buses

I travel on buses in London a lot and I believe that a few things can be done to make them easier to use and hopefully faster.

1. Allow Central Entry On Buses

New Routemasters allow this and it is a success.

I don’t konw if Routemasters have more fare evasion, than other buses, where you have to pass the driver, but I suspect evasion is not much higher.

Allowing central entry, by placing a reader in the lobby, would undoubtedly speed up buses, as loading would be quicker.

So it would be like providing extra buses on a route.

It would also be easy to test and see what the effects are. A route would just be fitted with extra readers and the before and after revenue would be compared.

2. All New Buses Should Have Flat Floors

New Routemasters have flat floors, which should be standard for all new buses.

3. Put The Bus Stop Number In The Shelter

This would help use the Countdown system to find out when the next bus is coming, especially in wet weather.

4. Put The Bus Stop Number In The Stop Display On The Bus

In common with many bus users, I often take two buses to my ultimate destination, changing at a stop en route, that is common to both routes.

As an example from Kings Cross to my house, I regularly take a 73 or 476 to the Angel, where I pick up a 38 or 56.

If I knew a 38 wasn’t on the way before I got to the stop at the Angel, I might decide to do some shopping or have a coffee before continuing.

5. Better Bus Information On Train And Tube Platforms

When you arrive at an unfamiliar station and know that you’ve got to take a bus to your ultimate destination, it would help if there was bus information on the train or tube platform.

For a start the standard bus and walking map, should be placed on all placed on all platforms, but I suspect there is better information that could be provided.

6. Bus Information At Non-TfL Stations

Stations run by companies other than TfL, work on the principle that if you don’t know the buses around the station, you’re an idiot.

All stations, on the London Bus and Tube map must provide London-standard information for bus users.

7. Legible London Liths And Signs Should Be Outside All Stations

At present this is not universal It should be!

8. The Bus Stop Text System Should Recognise Post Codes

Suppose you’re in an unfamiliar part of London and want to get home.

You would just text the bus stop number and your post code to 87287. and a route would be returned.

Note enough use, is made of this system.

Perhaps the stop number plus “tube” would direct you to the easiest tub station.

9. All Bus Stops Should Have A Decent Mobile Phone Signal

I was always told as a child, that if I was lost in Central London to find a tube station, where there would be help.

Now as most people carry mobile phones, why not make sure that all bus stops have a decent signal, so that they can make contact with someone, who could help.

Perhaps useful numbers should be displayed. Samaritans? Local Social Services?

10. No Smoking At Bus Stops

Why not?

June 29, 2016 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Buses, London