Dear London Buses Limited, I wish to seek the following information. For each of the following years: 2019, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2010, 2005, I require a list of the top 20 busiest bus routes in London. In order with annual ridership figures for each route. When was the IBUS system introduced? Prior to introduction of IBUS what method was used to keep track of buses and ensure they ran to time? Every bus in London is fitted with a Ramp access tool what it its purpose? How is it to be used in an emergency? Please provide detailed instruction that were given by the manufacturer of the ramp? Is the tool used standard across all fleets I.E. could the same tool be used on any number London buses? How many people does London Buses employee? Please provide the names of each department within London buses.

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TfL Ref: 1733-2021

Thank you for your request received by us on 28 November 2020 asking for information about bus services, employee data and the ibus system.

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 each of the following years: 2019, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2010, 2005, I require a list of the top 20 busiest bus routes in London. In order with annual ridership figures for each route.

The usage data you asked for covering the financial years from 2010-11 to 2019-20 is available on our website using the following links:

https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/buses-performance-data

https://tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/bus-service-usage-19-20.xlsx

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.

For the financial years of 2004/5 and 2005/6, please see the attached table for the top 20 busiest bus routes.

When was the IBUS system introduced?

Prior to  introduction of IBUS what method was used to keep track of buses and ensure they ran to time?

The iBus roll out began in March 2007 and was completed in April 2009.

The bus radio communications and vehicle location system in use before iBus was designed for a much smaller London Bus fleet and could not keep up with the increasing demands of a growing bus fleet. To keep track of buses and ensure they ran to time, we employed a team of survey staff, known as Traffic Recorders that recorded times of bus routes as they departed from designated stops. Recordings were made on hand-held data terminals and downloaded into a computer programme which analysed the service from the passenger’s point of view.

Every bus in London is fitted with a Ramp access  tool what it its purpose?

How is it to be used in an emergency? Please provide detailed instruction that were given by the manufacturer of the ramp?

Is the tool used standard across all fleets I.E. could the same tool be used on any number London buses?

The London Buses fleet consist of low-floor wheelchair-accessible vehicles, complete with ramps and a prioritised wheelchair bay area onboard. Buses can be lowered closer to the height of the kerb. If a ramp were to fail in service, the bus would normally be withdrawn at the earliest convenient point in its cycle. The issue would be reported and the vehicle would be referred to an engineering team. When a bus driver starts their shift, they check the ramp is working as part of their pre-service checks.

The ramp should be available automatically as and when it’s needed. If any type of emergency situation arises, the driver contacts either the garage or TfL’s 24/7 control room to obtain advice and support. All buses are fitted with similar ramps that can deploy from floor to kerb.

There are different makes and models of vehicles that bus operating companies can choose since they purchase and lease buses that satisfy the generic requirements for operating in London. Therefore operators will have differing arrangements on where the ramp access tool is stored, who can use it and how it is used. If you would like to contact the various bus operators for the instructions given by each vehicle manufacturer, their contact details can be found here: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/who-runs-your-bus?intcmp=44680. Please note that private companies are not legally obliged to respond under the Freedom of Information Act legislation.

How many people does London Buses employee?

Please provide the names of each department within London buses.

TfL does not employ bus drivers as they are directly employed by the operating companies; there are 25,400 in the London fleet. We do not hold information on every job that is connected to running buses in London, given the role operating companies play in the employment of staff.  Please see the aforementioned link to the operators websites if you would like to approach them directly about this. However, in terms of TfL’s Bus Operations and the various departmental levels, please see the attached spreadsheet for further information, applicable for this financial year.

If you are considering submitting a further FOI request please think carefully about whether the request is essential at this current time, as answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. Where requests are made, please note that our response time may be impacted by the current situation.

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
 

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