Freedom of Information request - Hail & Ride Conversion
Request ID: FOI-1334-2122 Date published: 15 October 2021
You asked
Dear Transport for London,
It is understandable that Hail & Ride sections are being converted whenever practical as fixed bus stops are shown to benefit from better mobility access aswell timetabling to the bus services.
Reviews are occasionally taken on some Hail & Ride Routes drafting proposals and ideas for conversions to fixed bus stops.
Under this request, I am requesting the latest information that contains ideas and proposals for Hail & Ride conversions on some routes across London.
We answered
TfL Ref: 1334-2122
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 21 September 2021 asking for information about Hail & Ride conversions on various bus routes across the capital.
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. You asked for the following:
It is understandable that Hail & Ride sections are being converted whenever practical as fixed bus stops are shown to benefit from better mobility access as well timetabling to the bus services.
Reviews are occasionally taken on some Hail & Ride Routes drafting proposals and ideas for conversions to fixed bus stops.
Under this request, I am requesting the latest information that contains ideas and proposals for Hail & Ride conversions on some routes across London.
We publish proposals on routes that may be considered for a Hail & Ride conversion via the Consultations section of our website, in addition to supporting documentation and reports at: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/consultation_finder
The following extracts are provided as examples in this area:
Bus route 233 in Sidcup
The Longlands Road section of bus route 233 currently operates on a ‘hail and ride’ basis. In order to improve customer safety and bus service reliability, we propose to replace this arrangement with fixed bus stops, as are used on the rest of the route.
We propose to introduce eight new fixed bus stops on Longlands Road to replace the current ‘hail and ride’ method of using the 233 bus there.
The new stops would comprise four eastbound stops and four westbound stops, located every few hundred metres along Longlands Road. The stops would be marked by road markings and bus stop signs on existing lamp posts. Due to limited pavement space it is not proposed to have shelters at these stops.
Kerbside parking space for approximately 14 cars would need to be removed along Longlands Road to allow the safe operation of the eight new bus stops. Much of this space is already subject to parking restrictions such as limited hours of availability.
It is our policy - as set out in the Mayor’s Transport Strategy - to improve bus accessibility, including upgrading hail and ride sections of bus routes wherever possible. Replacing the hail and ride arrangement with fixed bus stops would provide:
Better accessibility for passengers with mobility issues
Safer journeys for customers and other road users
Improved route reliability and timetabling
Customer information through the provision of timetables at bus stops
Proposals for new bus route 456 between Crews Hill and North Middlesex Hospital.
Sections of the route that are already served by buses and that would benefit from fixed stops, rather than a ‘hail-and-ride’ service, include Theobalds Park Road, Clay Hill, Willow Road and Hedge Lane. It may not be possible to take forward work at all sites within the initial introduction of the route; a second phase of improvements may be needed.
To serve the proposed ‘new’ section of the route, fixed stops would also be beneficial at locations including Church Hill, Station Road, Farm Road, Firs Lane, Sterling Way, Bull Lane and Bridport Road. New bus stops are also being considered for Bincote Road. Should any changes be made to the proposals as a result of the consultation then locations of any bus stops would be adjusted accordingly. Additional parking controls may be needed on Farm Road and at other locations as needed to ease the passage of buses on the proposed route.
Any future proposals for a bus route’s conversion to Hail & Ride will be published via the aforementioned link to our Consultations page in due course.
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
