Bus services
Request ID: FOI-3045-1819
Date published: 15 March 2019
You asked
F/on from FOI-2629-1819
I would like to receive any recorded information that contain
- definitions of "excess capacity" on a bus service;
- explanation of how any "excess capacity" criterion for bus services should be applied, e g over the route or corridor as a whole, or to smaller segments, even individual stops, and whether it should also be applied across the entire period of operation or separately for peaks, midday, evenings, Sundays etc.
- discussions of possible or actual changes to "excess criteria" criteria for bus services over the last seven years.
THE FOLLOWING IS NOT PART OF THE FOI REQUEST:-
I note that even this request for clarification has been sent after the deadline for response. I further note that my clarification is basically my original request with the magic words "recorded information" included. To my mind it was obvious what I was seeking. Delaying the whole process a whole month because "recorded information" is not explicitly stated in a request is unhelpful and - assuming those making requests do not give up - will actually generate more work.
We answered
TfL Ref: 3045-1819
Thank you for your email received by us on 18 February 2019 asking for information about the definitions of ‘excess capacity’ in relation to bus services.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we hold the information you require.
The information you asked for is available on our website in paragraph 16 of the guidelines published via the following link:
http://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-service-planning-guidelines.pdf
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.
I can also advise that due to improved reliability, we are now working towards planning a route based on approximately 90% of the total capacity of buses along a specific route over an hour. This is take account of reliability factors.
Therefore, if the number of passengers on buses at the busiest point at the busiest times is less than about 90% of a route’s hourly capacity, we would seek to reduce excess capacity. For example, if there are ten buses an hour, each of 90 capacity, we would plan to 90% of 90 x 10 = 810 capacity per hour. If the number of passengers is less than 810 at the busiest point, this would be deemed as excess capacity accordingly.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some 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
Information Governance
Transport For London
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