Early research shows that speedier and more reliable buses are being enjoyed by
a record five million passengers a day since congestion charging started.
The new data compiled by London Buses shows that since congestion charging started
on February 17th:
- In the first week of the charge, 9.5 per cent more passengers
traveled than in the same week last year. In the second week the year-on-year
increase was more than 10 per cent. Together with other improvements introduced
in the last year, this has encouraged five million passengers to use buses
each weekday;
- Bus speeds in the morning peak in the charging zone have increased
by 15 per cent (from 10.4 to 12 kilometres per hour);
- Delays to buses caused by traffic congestion halved in the first
two weeks
- Excess waiting time (the additional time waited by passengers
over and above the route schedule) reduced by 23 per cent in the first two
weeks of the scheme in the charging zone; and
- Early research shows that there are 6000 more bus passengers travelling
to central London in the morning peak hour, compared to counts taken in autumn
2002, an increase of 14 per cent.
- The number of buses to the zone increased by 19 per cent over
the same period.
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said:
"Improved journey speeds and 6000 more people choosing the bus to get to
central London in the rush hour is extremely encouraging.
"TfL with the bus operators have delivered impressive improvements to the
entire network over the last 12 months - more buses, better reliability and security
and improved passenger information. Funds raised from the charge will help us
continue to make buses even better."
Seventy-five services to the zone in the morning peak hour benefited from the
biggest single package of improvements for decades. Highlights of boosted services
include:
- 18-metre bendy buses on route 436 Lewisham to Paddington; 507
(Waterloo - Lambeth Bridge - Victoria); 521 (Waterloo - Cannon Street - London
Bridge) and 453 (Deptford Broadway - Marylebone).
- New services between Covent Garden and Tower Bridge; Camberwell
and Shepherd's Bush; Fulham and Maida Vale; Elephant and Castle and South
Kensington; Hackney Wick and Mansion House and Northumberland Park and Euston;
- Double decks replaced single decks on ten routes and more than
300 extra buses to boost at least fifty services.
