data behind decision to change frequency of bus route 133
Request ID: FOI-2210-2122 Date published: 17 January 2022
You asked
I understand that tfl have recently reduced the 133 service frequency. I do not understand this decision as the 133 is an arterial route. Are tfl able to provide the data they have used to make decisions regarding the 133 service frequency?
We answered
TfL Ref: 2210-2122
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 23 December 2021 asking for information about the data used to make decisions regarding the 133 service frequency.
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: Are TfL able to provide the data they have used to make decisions regarding the 133 service frequency.
Post-pandemic demand forecasts based on travel patterns showed that peak bus usage in the London Borough Lambeth is expected to decrease by between 16% and 18% from 2019 levels, therefore we considered that a frequency of 8 buses per hour (bph) provides sufficient capacity. Because of this weekday peak frequencies were reduced on 23 October 2021 from a bus every 6 minutes to one every 7.5 minutes. Weekday off peak and weekend frequencies were not changed.
To explain further, the busiest points on the 133 are where the route parallels other routes so passengers have a choice of buses. This means that while the route is busy, there are other routes that can take passengers displaced from the 133. The AM peak demand in total across all routes at Brixton is about 2,960 passengers in the busiest hour and we provide 65 buses per hour including the 8 bph of the 133 which gives an average loading of 46 passengers per bus. Demand in the PM peak is significantly lower at 2,390 passengers per hour, but frequencies are similar to the AM peak. Elsewhere on the route arriving at Elephant & Castle in the AM peak we currently provide 33 buses per hour on the corridor and 10 bph are required. Departing Elephant & Castle on routes 35 and 133 there are around 910 passengers in the busiest AM peak hour, and we provide 17 buses per hour, about 55 passengers per bus. Therefore we believe we have provided sufficient capacity on both busy sections of route 133.
We will continue to monitor usage across all routes in the corridors served by route 133.
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
