Please can you confirm if a bus driver upon request of curtailment by the service controller is required to transfer passenger and ensure that the passenger has boarded the next or alternative bus? Should the driver wait until the next bus comes? Under what circumstances can the bus driver leave passengers when curtailed short?

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Dear T Smith

TfL Ref: FOI-2424-1920

Thank you for your clarified request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 11 November 2019 asking for information about buses.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our Information Access Policy. You asked:

Please can you confirm if a bus driver upon request of curtailment by the service controller is required to transfer passenger and ensure that the passenger has boarded the next or alternative bus? Should the driver wait until the next bus comes? Under what circumstances can the bus driver leave passengers when curtailed short?

We give general guidance as the circumstances will normally determine the best course of action. As far as possible, we want to help customers transfer to another bus, particularly if they are vulnerable and need help. However, there will be times when this isn’t possible. If a bus has been terminated early because of no service in the opposite direction, caused by roadworks or an accident for instance, it may be impractical for the driver to wait with his or her customers for a following service as the bus would be urgently needed to provide a service in the opposite direction. The current guidance issued to drivers is shown below but would need to take account of the issues at the time.

   

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely,

Melissa Nichols

FOI Case Officer

General Counsel

Transport for London

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