Transport for LondonSurface Transport
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- Victoria Coach Station
- Public Carriage Office
- Freight and deliveries
- Cycling
- Walking
- London Trams (Croydon Tramlink)
- London River Services
- Congestion Charging
- Streets
London Buses
London's bus network continued to set new performance records as passenger numbers reached their highest levels since 1965.
In the year to March 2006, there were over 1.81 billion passenger trips on the network, an average of around 6.3 million journeys every weekday and a 1.3 per cent increase on the previous year.
The number of operated kilometres rose to 454 million, the highest since 1957. The Capital's 100 night bus routes carry 34 million passengers every year, more than double the number in 2000.
London's buses are now achieving their best service quality since records began in 1977.
With the exception of the buses operating on London's two heritage routes, every vehicle on the Capital's mainstream bus network was fully accessible to users with limited mobility by the end of December 2005. In addition, every vehicle on the mainstream bus network has now been fitted with CCTV.
A number of further initiatives are underway. Steps are being taken to make buses more comfortable during hot weather by fitting additional opening windows and improved ventilation, and preventing heat build-up by painting bus roofs white.
The overall performance of the Capital's bus network attracted external recognition. In March 2006, a report by the London Assembly's Transport Committee concluded that intensive investment in London's buses had created a reliable network offering value for money to passengers.
A joint report from the Audit Commission and the National Audit Office published in 2005 stated that London's bus network was 'leading the way' in the UK with significant growth in passenger numbers.
Buses operational performance
| 2005/06 | 2004/05 | 2003/04 | 2002/03 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Passenger Journeys |
1,816 | 1,793 | 1,702 | 1,534 |
| Kilometres operated (millions) |
454 | 450 | 437 | 397 |
| Percentage of schedule operated (per cent) |
97.7 | 97.7 | 97.2 | 96.1 |
| Excess journey time (unweighted) (minutes) |
1.1 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 1.8 |
|
Passenger satisfaction |
77 | 77 | 77 | 76 |
Victoria Coach Station
Every year, Victoria Coach Station (VCS) provides facilities for around nine million passengers. Providing a safe, comfortable environment for them, as well as those seeing them off or welcoming them, is of prime importance.
In 2005/06, use of VCS increased, with 392,000 coaches arriving or departing from the coach station, some 4,000 (2.1 per cent) up on the previous year.
The TfL Surface Advisory Panel endorsed the findings and recommendations of the London Coach Terminal Review in January 2005. Plans are now in hand to explore the redevelopment of the VCS site and its surrounding area.
Public Carriage Office
During 2005/06, the Public Carriage Office (PCO) licensed around 13,000 private hire drivers. Continuing the process introduced in April 2003, it also licensed over 38,000 private hire vehicles during 2005/06. This means the licensing of the London private hire industry is largely complete.
In December 2005, the PCO successfully completed a review of the conditions of fitness that apply to licensed taxis (black cabs), and in light of the research undertaken, decided to retain the turning circle requirement as one of the conditions.
TfL also took steps towards preparing a public consultation document on the licensing of pedicabs. This move comes in response to concerns for the safety of pedicab drivers and their passengers.
Freight and Deliveries
In April 2005, TfL established a dedicated Freight Unit to promote the vital role that freight plays in sustaining London's position as a world-class city. The effective management of freight movements across the Capital is essential to the success of its economy.
Working in partnership with the freight industry, freight users, investors and regulators, TfL's Freight Unit aims to encourage best practice in an area of growing importance. Its remit covers freight movements across all transport modes.
During its first year, the Freight Unit contributed to several notable initiatives including the launch of the London Construction Consolidation Centre pilot in September 2005; commissioning the construction of a new multi-modal refuse collection vehicle (MMRCV); and working with British Waterways on plans for using MMRCV technology to move waste, recyclables and construction material on the West London Canal Network.
By the end of March 2006, the Freight Unit had finished drafting the London Freight Plan (LFP). A final version of the LFP is scheduled for publication by the end of 2006.
The continued involvement of freight operators is critical to achieving TfL's long-term vision. TfL joined forces with the Metropolitan Police (Met) to launch the Freight Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS). This scheme is designed to encourage best practice among freight operators serving London, helping them to improve their operational performance and adopt safer working practices. FORS is scheduled to roll out across London in 2007/08.
Cycling
In June 2005, TfL published the London Cycle Design Standards, which will provide urban planners and engineers with best practice guidance on building a transport system that fully addresses the needs of cyclists.
TfL funded the installation of 4,500 new cycle parking spaces on streets and at schools, colleges and rail stations around the city. Cyclists using the 24-hour, fully staffed cycle park at Finsbury Park's new transport interchange, for example, now benefit from a secure locking system incorporating smartcard technology.
At the beginning of September 2005, TfL joined the Mayor, the London Development Agency (LDA) and the Capital's official visitor organisation Visit London to host the Tour of Britain finale.
In February 2006, TfL followed the finale's success by announcing that London will host the start of the Tour de France in 2007. The aim of this initiative is to further boost the profile of cycling in a city where cycling's popularity is growing rapidly.
The Tour de France, which lasts three weeks, is the world's most popular annual sporting spectacle, attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators every day and millions of TV viewers. Known as Le Grand Départ, the three-day start to the event will begin with an opening ceremony in central London, followed the day after by an 8km time trial around the Capital, passing many of its iconic landmarks. On day three, competitors will head out of London towards Canterbury on the first stage of the 3,500km race.
The event will celebrate cycling and showcase the Capital before a global audience, providing an opportunity to show the world that London is capable of hosting international sporting events of the highest calibre, and giving cycling in London a huge boost.
Walking
Since walking is one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly forms of transport, TfL places a strong emphasis on making London as pedestrian-friendly as possible.
Throughout the year, it worked closely with the London boroughs and other stakeholders towards making London one of the world's most walkable cities. In September 2005, TfL launched 'Improving Walkability', which provides good-practice guidance on making London more pedestrian-friendly. Aimed at London borough planners and developers, these guidelines will be supported by the rollout of a professional training programme in 2006 for the people who will use them.
There was more good news for the Capital's walkers with the completion of the 78-mile Capital Ring strategic walking route, which links parks, commons and other open spaces in a circuit that stays within 10 miles of Big Ben.
TfL's efforts to encourage young Londoners to walk more continued with its support for the ever-popular Walk to School Week initiative, which is held twice a year across the UK.
London Trams
Croydon Tramlink
The number of people using Croydon Tramlink during 2005/06 rose by 7 per cent to 22.5 million.
This growth was reinforced by the opening in December 2005 of a new tram stop serving Croydon's Centrale shopping centre.
Work continued on exploring potential route options for extending Croydon Tramlink from Harrington Road to Crystal Palace.
London River Services
In 2005/06, London River Services (LRS) recordedover 2.3 million passenger journeys at its piersand on its contract riverbus services, operated byThames Clippers. This total represents a 1.3 percent increase over the previous year.
For several hours after the 7 July attacks, the River Thames carried the only form of public transport in central London. All services were free of charge, and Thames Clippers increased their frequency to one departure every 10 minutes until midnight. Immediately after 7 July, the Thames Clippers service continued to perform strongly, with usage rising by up to 50 per cent. In addition, there has been a rise in the number of private charter boats using LRS piers.
Rising passenger numbers have been matched by improved levels of service and accessibility. By the end of March 2006, Europe's first Ramp Rider was open to the public at Greenwich Pier, allowing disabled people to move more easily between the promenade and the floating pontoon. Together with the operators, TfL continues to fund a one-third discount for Oyster and Travelcard holders making point-to-point riverbus trips.
Congestion Charging
Congestion Charging continues to deliver important benefits. Drawing on data produced in 2005, the Fourth Annual Monitoring Report on the scheme indicated that congestion levels in the Congestion Charging zone were 22 per cent lower than in 2002, the year before the scheme was introduced.
In addition, Congestion Charging has helped to sustain significant improvements in bus services and air quality, while independent researchdemonstrates that it has also helped to improveroad safety, with up to 70 fewer road injuries peryear as a direct result of the scheme. The report(see tfl.gov.uk/tfl/cclondon) indicates thatreductions in congestion were slightly lower in2005 than in previous years. The average reductionsince the scheme began is well above the initialtarget, and it reflects changes in road spaceallocation to improve road safety and assistpedestrians, cyclists and buses, which aredemonstrably achieving additional benefits.
At the same time, this reduction needs to be readin the context of the long-term trend of increasingcongestion across London. Measured in this way,congestion is 30 per cent lower than projectedagainst the background trend.
It is estimated that the Congestion Charge hasalso cut the number of car trips made in theCapital every day by up to 70,000.
In July 2005, the Congestion Charge rose from£5 to £8 per day. Plans to extend the CongestionCharging zone westward to cover parts ofWestminster and most of Kensington and Chelseawere also announced. The extended zone willcommence in February 2007.
Streets
TfL, which is responsible for managing andmaintaining the 580km of red routes that makeup the TfL Road Network (TLRN), London's 10major road tunnels and 2,500 road structures suchas bridges and pedestrian subways, has startedwork on its first Highway Asset Management Plan.
This document, which will be launched in 2007 andupdated on a regular basis, provides a clear accountof how TfL intends to spend public funds onmaintaining the TLRN and what benefits the publiccan expect to see as a result of its investment.
TLRN Step Change project
During the year, TfL invested around £13m onupgrading the TLRN through its Step Change project,which comprised around 500 separate initiatives.
Among other improvements, they involvedrenewing footpaths, replacing damaged road signs,laying anti-skid surfaces, installing irrigation systemsand planting new trees and shrubs.
Directorate of Traffic Operations
TfL's Directorate of Traffic Operations (DTO) isresponsible for the management and operationof all of London's traffic signals and systems.
A DTO programme to review the signal timingsof London's computerised signals has optimisedtimings at 500 sites over the last year. This equatesto a review cycle of 4.5 years, a significant reductionwhen compared with the cycle of 27 years in 2003.
To meet London's current and future operationalrequirements, the DTO has invested in thedevelopment of trainees. In the last 12 monthsit has inducted a further 20 graduates on to itsthree-year development programme. This takesthe total number of graduates joining theprogramme to 62 since it began in 2003.
London's traffic system is one of the largestand most complex in the world and the DTO isdeveloping a visionary strategy for meeting theCapital's future traffic operations and systemsrequirements. This programme, the London TrafficSystems Vision, will provide a long-term view ofthe systems and technology needed to managethe growing, and often competing, demands forstreet space.
Network Management Duty Action Plan
Among other obligations, the Traffic ManagementAct 2004 places a Network Management Duty(NMD) on TfL, the London boroughs and otherLocal Traffic Authorities to ensure that traffic isallowed to flow smoothly across the road networksunder their control. In response, the TrafficManager's Office published an action plan, whichclearly sets out how TfL is approaching its NMD.
Ensuring compliance with rules of the road
Ensuring compliance with parking and trafficregulations is integral to maximising the capacity ofLondon's road network. TfL's Transport Policing andEnforcement Directorate (TPED) delivers targetedenforcement of bus lanes, moving trafficcontraventions and parking controls on the TLRN.The operation includes the deployment of on-streetTraffic Wardens and Transport Police CommunitySupport Officers (TPCSOs) and camera enforcement.
As a result of decriminalised parking enforcementof the TLRN, TPED has delivered increasedenforcement and compliance to facilitate improvedtraffic flows and reduce congestion.
Effective incident management
Re-opening Battersea Bridge to traffic three monthsahead of schedule and on budget exemplifies TfL'sability to safely and cost-effectively implementcomplex repairs against the tightest deadlines.The 116-year-old, Grade II listed structure wasbadly damaged after it was struck by the 200-tonnegravel barge, James Prior, in September 2005.
Even though it remained open to buses, bicyclesand pedestrians, there were fears that the bridgewould have to remain closed to other traffic untilthe summer, depriving the public and localbusinesses of a vital link that normally carriesaround 1,300 vehicles an hour at peak times.
However, effective teamwork between TfL'sengineers and contractors, combined withadvanced repair techniques and text-book projectmanagement, saw Battersea Bridge re-opened totraffic three months early on 15 January 2006.
The core repair contract was awarded to Mowlemless than two months after the incident. The repairwork itself involved an innovative engineeringtechnique which used heated steel rods and platingto 'stitch' the damaged sections of the cast ironbridge back together well before schedule andwithin budget.
At the end of October 2005, a bus caught fire inthe eastbound tunnel of the Limehouse Link. Roadusers endured severe disruption and delays. TfL'sspecialist teams and contractors completed criticalrepairs two weeks sooner than expected, reopening the tunnel on November 16 2005.
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