Request ID: FOI-1233-2122 Date published: 15 September 2021
You asked
I have two questions regarding London's buses
1, I am after information regarding buses on routes that are normally Single Decker Double Door (SDDD) buses and what TfL has in place if an operator replaces these with Single Decker Single Door (SDSD). how many buses on a route can be replaced with an SDSD bus at any given time and are there any rules regarding how many days an SDSD be used on an SDDD route?
2 what is the procedure in place for buses where the wheelchair ramp is not operational, how soon must a bus be replaced with one that has a working ramp, what if any time frame for an operator to get the ramp repaired?
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-1233-2122
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 9th September 2021 asking for information about replacement buses.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Your questions are answered in turn below. Note that buses in London are operated by private companies under contract with TfL:
Question 1: I am after information regarding buses on routes that are normally Single Decker Double Door (SDDD) buses and what TfL has in place if an operator replaces these with Single Decker Single Door (SDSD). how many buses on a route can be replaced with an SDSD bus at any given time and are there any rules regarding how many days an SDSD be used on an SDDD route?
TfL does not have a general policy on this as the network can be disrupted with no notice and our priority is to maintain the service with the most appropriate capacity vehicles available – which might see one model replaced by another. Because of road layouts and tighter turns, some routes are only passable by single deck buses of certain lengths, which can be a factor in the options available to the bus operator. All buses in our fleet, whether with one or two doors, are compliant with UK public service vehicle requirements such as PSVAR2000.
Question 2: what is the procedure in place for buses where the wheelchair ramp is not operational, how soon must a bus be replaced with one that has a working ramp, what if any time frame for an operator to get the ramp repaired?
We expect the bus operator to substitute a vehicle where the ramp may have failed at the earliest convenient opportunity. As the bus may be far away or close to a garage, or the route may be severely disrupted by emergency roadworks, we do not set a specific timeframe for this. The aim is to bring in a working ramp as quickly as possible and for the driver to request assistance from their garage if there is a wheelchair user on board to ensure they can complete their journey with the minimum of inconvenience. The Equality Act (2010) accepts it is not always possible to substitute a bus with a defective ramp immediately and allows for this to happen at the earliest opportunity, for the reasons mentioned above.
If this is not the information you are looking for 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,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
