Request ID: FOI-2658-2223 Date published: 09 February 2023
You asked
Dear Transport for London,
I would like to know the amount of buses cut from London's bus service since TfL began it's 'managed decline' of buses in 2018. I note the recent consultation on the cutting of whole routes has been abandoned but I really would like to know how many individual buses have been taken out of the system since 2018 and how many are planned to be cut in the foreseeable future.
We answered
TfL Ref: 2658-2223
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 19 January 2023 asking for information about cuts to bus services since 2018.
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: I would like to know the amount of buses cut from London's bus service since TfL began it's 'managed decline' of buses in 2018. I note the recent consultation on the cutting of whole routes has been abandoned but I really would like to know how many individual buses have been taken out of the system since 2018 and how many are planned to be cut in the foreseeable future.
We are not operating in a “Managed Decline” status regarding our bus services - that phrase specifically referred to the 18 per cent reduction in bus km (as well as other cuts to services) that was a possible scenario prior to the most recent funding agreement made between central Government and TfL.
The Peak Vehicle Requirement (i.e. the number of buses required to deliver the timetabled service) for the years you have asked about is as follows:-
The next set of data for the end of the current financial year 31/3/23 is expected to be available around June 2023, however the current figure is 7,446. We continue to keep the bus network under continual review to reflect the changing travel patterns which was recently seen less demand for services on roads into central and inner London.
You may want to look at the bus review pages on our website which includes the consultation report, decision summary and next steps documents, and which is available at the following link: https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/busreview
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
