Transport for LondonMessage from Bob Kiley
Skip to navigation << Back to indexFrom a standing start just three years ago, TfL's progress has been strong and consistent. 2002/03 confirmed the forward momentum that we have built up in renewing the quality and quantity of London's transport. There's still a long way to go, but the smooth delivery of congestion charging and ongoing preparations to bring the Underground into the TfL family are both milestones that show we are well on course.
The growth in London bus usage is amongst last year's major accomplishments in moving forward the Mayor's Transport Strategy. Overall, we are experiencing the fastest rate of passenger growth since 1945. Bus usage has increased by 7.3 per cent to 1,534 million passenger journeys in 2002/03, representing an extra 104 million passenger journeys over the previous year. London's bus fleet has continued to grow and improve, with more than 300 extra buses running. Passenger numbers using Night buses and Sunday services rose by 16 per cent and 12 per cent respectively. We continued our rollout of accessible vehicles and by March 2003, 77 per cent of the fleet (excluding Routemasters) comprised low floor, wheelchair accessible buses, which I believe is essential in attaining our goal of greater equality and inclusion for all Londoners.
The renaissance of London's bus network directly enabled another TfL success story - the launch of congestion charging, one of the most innovative traffic management schemes ever attempted in a world capital. The start up date for congestion charging saw London's roads refreshingly empty of vehicles, with traffic within the zone reduced by 16 per cent. Other benefits to Londoners include improvements in bus reliability, a better pedestrian environment, less pollution and a reduction in car journey times, with typical savings on a round trip to and from the zone in the region of 13 per cent and a 32 per cent drop in congestion.
To heighten the enjoyment and make use of one of London's most historic locations, construction work has been completed at Trafalgar Square for phase one of the World Squares for All scheme. Unfortunately, this meant major road layout changes, but the North side of Trafalgar Square is now pedestrianised and links to the National Gallery via a grand central staircase. The Square opened to the public in July 2003.
I'm pleased to say that progress has been made on private hire licensing, with more than 2,100 operators licensed in the first stage of improving the quality and safety of private hire taxis. To highlight this licensing and the problems caused by illegal minicabs, TfL launched its 'Know What You're Getting Into?' campaign in January 2003, in an effort to raise awareness of the danger of sexual assault in illegal minicabs. Previous page: Mayor's message - Our plans for the future
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