Freedom of Information request - Responsibilities towards Coaches
Request ID: FOI-0931-2425 Date published: 11 July 2024
You asked
Dear Transport for London,
1. Could you provide me with a document showing the responsibilities that Transport for London has toward coaches in London? For example, the numbers of coach bays needed, usage of bus stops and need for clear signage requirements. The most recent document will suffice.
2. Please show me documentation on which vehicles can use a bus stand which is not marked Tfl, local or LT. Are coaches still prohibited from using the stand in this case and can you provide documentation?
We answered
Our ref: FOI-0931-2425/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 20 June 2024 asking for information about coaches.
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold some of the information you require.
1. Could you provide me with a document showing the responsibilities that Transport for London has toward coaches in London? For example, the numbers of coach bays needed, usage of bus stops and need for clear signage requirements. The most recent document will suffice. There is no formal document defining the responsibilities to coaches in London. However there is the Mayor’s Transport Strategy (MTS) with a section relating to coaches, but this has not been updated since it was introduced, We have provided a link and the page number below. We also had the Tourist Coach Action Plan in 2013 with a five year duration so this is no longer used. Nonetheless we:
Work with the coach industry via key operators and the trade associations (CPT, CTA, RHA, UKCOA) as well as other interested stakeholders to promote and facilitate coaches in London.
With regard to your example questions:
Number of coach bays needed: there is no defined number to achieve
Usage of bus stops: Where there is no ‘local buses’ restriction in place those vehicles legally classified as a bus can use bus stops to board and alight passengers but are not permitted to park or wait. To use a ‘local buses’ stop they would need a London Service Permit. This is on the TfL website: https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/coach-drivers/advice-for-drivers
2. Please show me documentation on which vehicles can use a bus stand which is not marked Tfl, local or LT. Are coaches still prohibited from using the stand in this case and can you provide documentation? Bus Stand Clearways are restricted by regulations under the traffic sign regulations and general directions 2016 – please see attached. If the upright sign at a bus stand states ‘local buses’ then coaches are prohibited. If the sign says ‘buses’ those vehicles legally classified as a bus can use bus stops to board and alight passengers.
Please let me know if this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason.
If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Graham Hurt FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
