E5 Bus Route
Request ID: FOI-1166-1718
Date published: 12 October 2017
You asked
Dear Transport for London, I live close to a bus stop on the route E5 and I am a regular user of the service, and in recent years the people the route serves and I have noticed severe overcrowding on this route. Sometimes, when a bus arrives at a stop, passengers won't be let on the bus, as there are many people already on it and there's no space.
In 2015, the route went for tender and was won by Abellio London, although with single door 8.9 metre Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 MMCs. The whole community were disappointed to see the E5 allocated single door buses again. Would it be possible to introduce dual door buses on this route, as it is very difficult to get off the bus when there are many people in the way, and only one door to enter and exit. The overcrowding will only get worse as the Havelock Estate redevelopment would increase the amount of users on this service.
I've also got a few questions regarding this topic:
1). If it is physically impossible to introduce a longer bus type to the E5 route (due to narrow, tight turns on the route), which turns are too narrow on the route, that restrict it to short buses?
2). On average, how many people use the route E5 on a yearly basis 3). Are the any future proposals for the E5 or any other routes to serve the Havelock and Toplocks Estates in Southall?
We answered
Thank you for your email received by us on date asking for information about bus route E5 and passenger usage.
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 the information you require.
Would it be possible to introduce dual door buses on this route, as it is very difficult to get off the bus when there are many people in the way, and only one door to enter and exit
1). If it is physically impossible to introduce a longer bus type to the E5 route (due to narrow, tight turns on the route), which turns are too narrow on the route, that restrict it to short buses?
As part of our current public consultation there are proposals for increasing services around Merrick Road, as explained on our website at: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/elizabeth-line/. It is our aspiration to extend this route to Havelock Estate if the proposed new road ‘Grand Union Avenue’ is built connecting to it via the Middlesex Business Park development site.
I can also advise that a larger vehicle was route tested on route E5 in March 2015, which encountered a number of difficulties due to its size and the width of the highway. Additionally, at the Medway Parade stop, loading trucks impeded the bus in its manoeuvre to turn right from the bus stop. The current shorter vehicle can undertake this manoeuvre, in contrast to its larger equivalent.
2). On average, how many people use the route E5 on a yearly basis
The information you asked for is available on our website using the following link: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/buses#on-this-page-1
In accordance with section 21 of the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply you with a copy of the requested information as it is already accessible to you elsewhere.
3). Are the any future proposals for the E5 or any other routes to serve the Havelock and Toplocks Estates in Southall?
Please see our response to Question One.
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
Information Governance
Transport For London
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