Replacement bus shelters and countdown information boards
Request ID: FOI-1928-2122 Date published: 17 December 2021
You asked
Dear Transport for London,
I have 7 short questions:
1) How much does it cost to replace a bus shelter?
2) How many shelters have been replaced in the last 2 years?
3) How many shelters are planned to be replaced:
in 2021
in 2022
in 2023
in 2024 and subsequent years?
4) Will any of the replacement shelters have Countdown information boards (CIBs)?
5) What are the reasons for not installing CIBs in some new shelters, and will any new shelters be fitted with CIBs?
6) What are the sources of finance for replacement bus shelters?
7) Do you have an estimate of the proportion of your bus passengers who do not have access to a mobile phone app giving bus time information?
I look forward to information about this important matter.
We answered
TfL Ref: 1928-2122
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 24 November 2021 asking for information about replacement bus shelters and Countdown Information Boards. 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. Your questions and our replies are as follows:
How much does it cost to replace a bus shelter?
The cost depends on the type and the size of the shelter and is on average around £7,000 including electrical connection, which is around £2,000.
How many shelters have been replaced in the last 2 years?
Using our reporting system which contains Bus shelter data, the below information has been extracted for the last 2 financial years.
Financial Year
Number of Shelters
19/20
284
20/21
435
3) How many shelters are planned to be replaced: in 2021
in 2022
in 2023
in 2024 and subsequent years?
Asset renewals are prioritised on a risk-based basis. This is largely budget dependant and the financial planning process is at present under review, which is to be completed shortly for the next financial year. The number of bus shelters for renewal is dependent on the network risk of specific assets against the rest of the TfL estate. Each shelter is assessed against a condition criteria. This ensures that the allocated budget is spent in the most responsible manner. There can also be external requests for a new shelter for which this is funded by a third party.
4) Will any of the replacement shelters have Countdown information boards (CIBs)? If a shelter previously had a Countdown sign, the sign will be reinstalled once the shelter replacement works has fully completed, unless the new shelter that is installed is incompatible with Countdown.
5) What are the reasons for not installing CIBs in some new shelters, and will any new shelters be fitted with CIBs? Transport for London (TfL) provides real time bus arrival information for Londoners through a number of channels and its research shows that most Londoners have access to internet enabled devices such as smartphones, which can be used to get this information. As a result, since the implementation of 2,500 Countdown signs in shelters in 2011/12, additional Countdown Information Boards have not been prioritised in the TfL budget. However, TfL recognises that at-stop real-time bus arrival information continues to be highly valued by customers, and is exploring various options for providing it, including trials of new technology and sign types.
Regarding whether any new shelters will be fitted with Countdown signs, providing the stop is suitable, local boroughs have the opportunity to purchase additional signs for both existing or new shelters, using for example secured Section 106 funding or alternative private purchase funding streams.
6) What are the sources of finance for replacement bus shelters?
The sources of finance for renewing bus shelters are obtained from the set budget allocated to the Asset capital programme. This focuses on assets which are considered to have reached the end of their life or pose a risk element. There can be ad-hoc requests which are both received internally or externally. i.e. there may be a specific project that is ongoing in another department of TfL or alternatively this may stem from external sources i.e. a new development.
7) Do you have an estimate of the proportion of your bus passengers who do not have access to a mobile phone app giving bus time information?
We don’t have any specific figures on those who have (or do not have) access to the TfL app, but pre-Covid, the TfL Customer Satisfaction Surveys were picking up the percentage of bus journeys using web/app and SMS for live arrival information; pre-Covid this was 30 per cent of all passenger journeys.
In terms of smartphone ownership, we use Ofcom survey data which indicates those with access to apps in general. In 2018, 74% of the population had a smartphone (this ranges from 95% for 16-24 year olds to 20% for those over 75).
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
Sara Thomas FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
