Freedom of Information request - Bus Route Consultation ending 7 August 2022
Request ID: FOI-1102-2223 Date published: 31 August 2022
You asked
Dear Transport for London,
Notices of the current bus route consultation are posted on the bus stop posts where details of the current bus routes are shown. However, regular bus users seldom consult the information on the bus-stop posts because they are already familiar with the route of the bus they regularly use.
Question 1
Have the consultation notices been posted in any bus shelters?
If ‘yes’, please list each bus shelter, its location and the bus routes served by the shelter, where notice of the consultation has been posted.
Question 2
Have any consultation notices been posted in any of the buses where the route is proposed to be removed, or the route changed?
If ‘yes’ please supply a list of all the buses where the notice of the consultation has been posted, the bus number and the time it set off on the route.
Question 3
Has there been any attempt to consult those who use public transport but not buses, to survey why they do not use buses, and what improvements to bus services would induce them to use buses?
If so, please provide details of the consultation, how it was undertaken, the questions asked, and the number and content of the responses.
Question 4
Has there been any attempt to consult those who use private vehicles but not buses, to survey why they do not use buses, and what improvements to bus services would induce them to use buses?
If so, please provide details of the consultation, how it was undertaken, the questions asked, and the number and content of the responses.
We answered
TfL Ref: 1102-2223
Thank you for your request received by us on 4 August 2022 asking for information about the Central London Bus Review Consultation.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. You asked for the following:
Question 1
Have the consultation notices been posted in any bus shelters?
If ‘yes’, please list each bus shelter, its location and the bus routes served by the shelter, where notice of the consultation has been posted.
Bus shelter space was not used to publicise the consultation, however, we placed bus stop posters in bus flags on all routes that were part of the consultation, where space permitted. We also placed three-sided signage at selected London bus stations where permitted under planning and consent law. In addition, we broadcast our consultation web address at 50 central London bus stops with a digital Countdown facility.
Question 2
Have any consultation notices been posted in any of the buses where the route is proposed to be removed, or the route changed?
If ‘yes’ please supply a list of all the buses where the notice of the consultation has been posted, the bus number and the time it set off on the route.
Consultation posters were not placed onboard London buses.
Question 3
Has there been any attempt to consult those who use public transport but not buses, to survey why they do not use buses, and what improvements to bus services would induce them to use buses?
If so, please provide details of the consultation, how it was undertaken, the questions asked, and the number and content of the responses.
Question 4
Has there been any attempt to consult those who use private vehicles but not buses, to survey why they do not use buses, and what improvements to bus services would induce them to use buses?
If so, please provide details of the consultation, how it was undertaken, the questions asked, and the number and content of the responses.
Whilst not part of the Central London Bus Review Consultation, TfL has commissioned a range of research on the experiences and opinions of both private vehicle users as well as those who use public transport but not buses, by exploring their perceptions in the attached ‘Improving Bus Market Share’ report. This details their experiences of using the bus for work or leisure from people residing across the capital. The report focuses on the multitude of reasons why the bus is not the primary mode of travel amongst those who prefer to take other forms of both private travel and public transport.
Other research undertaken by TfL and research agency 2CV, provides insight on what current and potential customers want from buses in the near future, as detailed in the ‘Future of Buses’ report.
TfL’s ‘Weekend Wins Back’ report explains how this trial encouraged car users to more sustainable modes of travel such as walking, cycling and public transport.
The attached Bus Priorities report looks at for example, the reasons given for either not using the bus network as a primary mode of travel, or using these services on an occasional basis by infrequent and non-bus users
Please note that in accordance with TfL’s obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), some personal data has been removed from these items of research, as required by section 40 of the FOI. This is because disclosure of this personal data would be a breach of the legislation, specifically the first principle of the GDPR, which requires all processing of personal data to be fair and lawful. It would not be fair to disclose this personal information when the individuals have no expectation it would be disclosed and TfL has not satisfied one of the conditions which would make the processing ‘fair’.
This exemption to the right of access to information is an absolute exemption and not subject to an assessment of whether the public interest favours use of the exemption.
In the meantime we would like to advise that our consultation proposals are based on careful analysis of demand over recent years and projected future demand. They were developed in response to changes in customer travel patterns, and the need to make financial savings. You can read more about the reasons behind the proposals online here: https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/15359/widgets/48166/documents/27540
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Jasmine Howard FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
