The speediest bus boarding system in the UK was launched today on two London commuter routes by Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone.
At 18 metres long, the bendy and cashless bus services, are able to carry up to 140 people, at least 60 more than a double deck bus and 76 more than the vehicles currently serving the routes. They will make journeys more reliable and quicker as passengers must have a ticket before boarding and can board or alight from all three doors like in many cities on the continent.
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said:
"London is leading the way in innovative bus services. I've made them cheaper, more reliable and brought them nearer to more people than ever before. These two new bendy-bus services are just one of many bus improvements for London before congestion charging is introduced.
"Just like on the continent, all the doors can be used for getting on or off the bus, providing hassle-free, comfortable and reliable travel for everyone."
Transport for London Managing Director of Surface Transport Peter Hendy said:
"Thanks to three-door boarding, passengers can now board seamlessly on these busy commuter routes. We know that this system can work and I want to bring in more bendy and cashless services to help make bus travel a first class option for London."
The buses are run on Red Arrow routes 507 (Waterloo - Victoria) and 521 (Waterloo - London Bridge) by London General.
London General Engineering Director Phil Margrave said:
"London General is delighted to be involved in such an innovative service for the capital. Our drivers are looking forward to taking the vehicles on to the roads that feature the best of modern bus design including ergonomically designed driver's cabs, in bus climate control and six CCTV cameras."
London Transport Users Committee Chair Suzanne May said:
"Bendy buses are a common sight in many towns and cities around the world and in some ways their introduction to London is as over due as it is welcome. I believe passengers will welcome the speed with which they can get on and off and, with being single deck, they will bring many benefits to people with mobility impairments, with luggage and with buggies for whom the upper deck on double-deck vehicles has been out of bounds."
Fifty ticket machines have been installed along the routes to allow passengers to pay before boarding the bus if they do not already have Travelcards or bus passes. Ninety per cent of current passengers do not use cash and the flat fare for any journey is £1. Passengers with saver tickets will need to board at the front to give their receipts to the driver. Revenue protection inspectors will patrol the routes to tackle any fare evasion.
As with other London Bus services wheelchair users will be able to use the low-floor buses for free and will board at the second door. The vehicles will also have more room for buggies and shopping.
The introduction of these services follows a trial of bendy buses on route 207 between Hayes and Shepherd's Bush and the implementation of a cashless operation on route W7 (Muswell Hill Broadway - Finsbury Park Station).
The routes are operated under new Quality Incentive Contracts. Operators are given incentives and deductions relating to delivering quality and reliability according to set targets. The performance of each route is monitored by London Buses and action can be taken at any time if the route is not up to standard.
