Minutes:
London Buses (Planning and Commissioning of Bus Services)
Presentation by Peter Howarth
TfL Surface Transport
Borough Relationship Manager
Bus routes to the Hornsey Neighbourhood Health Centre
The Primary Care Trust considered the accessibility of the Hornsey Central Neighbourhood site in a report published in early 2009, which concluded that around two thirds (64.3%) of residents in the Health Centre’s western Haringey catchment live within 20 minutes of the Centre by bus, and nearly all (96.2%) are within 30 minutes. The Centre is served by route W7 directly and routes 144, W3 and W5 stop within 400m. All of these services operate at a high frequency, particularly route W7, which runs every six minutes or more frequently for much of the day.
Given the existing provision, there is currently no case to provide a new, additional direct service. However, TfL will of course keep access to the Centre under review as part of our normal process for developing the bus network.
Promoting Transport Interchanges – (eg: posting details of train services at bus stops and provision of cycle storage).
There is only limited space available to display customer information and therefore the information provided at bus stops is generally limited to bus services. Locations of train interchanges are displayed on the bus maps where provided and the detailed timetable information is provided by the rail operator at the relevant train interchange.
In terms of cycle storage, the accessibility of bus stops to allow passengers to safely board and alight is a primary consideration which in most cases would be seriously hindered with cycle storage facilities in the vicinity of bus stops and shelters.
TfL are aware that availability of cycle parking plays a major role in helping people decide whether it is convenient to take to two wheels or not. By 2012 we aim to have provided 66,000 new cycle parking spaces across London in addition to the significant cycle storage facilities already provided at transport interchanges (bus and rail stations) across the Capital.
How do London Buses assess the running of a route?
Performance tables for all London’s bus routes and boroughs are available on the TfL website. Bus route information is based on up to two years data.
There are a number of Quality of Service Indicators (QSI’s) used to assess bus performance. One of the most commonly used to measure performance is how long passengers actually wait when compared to scheduled services. This is know as the Excess Waiting Time (EWT).
How is the information collected?
At this time, a team of data collection staff monitor bus performance. They stand at locations across the Capital in order to record data.
The data is sent to TfL where the results are compared against the timetable. We can then see how long a passenger actually waits, compared to the wait if the bus service ran exactly on time.
Each location is surveyed 16 times over a 12 week period.
We monitor each bus route throughout the course of its journey, not just from where it started.
From April 2011, this type of date will be down loaded from the bus on board navigation systems (iBus).
QSI’s are a valuable source of information. They identify poorly performing routes and allow improvements to be made where they’re needed.
Why did London Buses press for removal of stop and shop parking bays and disabled bays from Crouch End Broadway?
The Highway Authority for Crouch End Broadway is the London Borough of Haringey. In response to consultation undertaken by the Borough, TfL suggested that the times of the restricted parking be extended particularly during the peak hours which would enable greater traffic flow and also assist in improving the reliability of buses.
The position on reviewing local bus routes, specifically the 144 and W3 routes, and how residents are engaged in the review process.
The way in which TfL reviews, plans the bus network, tenders contracts and consults stakeholders are inter-related. As the majority of contracts operate for a period of 5 years, or extended to seven if performance criteria are met, approximately 20% of all routes are evaluated and in turn tendered each year
The routes 144 and W3 currently forms part of the ongoing review process. TfL has a statutory responsibility to consult and we write to key stakeholders including London Boroughs, London Travel Watch, Police, Members of Parliament, Assembly Members and any relevant users groups in order to seek their views on our proposals.
The Borough may or may not involve residents in their responses to TfL as the approach taken by individual Boroughs tends to vary.
In certain circumstances, TfL will consult directly with residents, local businesses, schools, colleges, local community organisations and services likely to be affected by certain proposals. These generally include:
TfL will soon be introducing an improved consultation website that will allow users to comment on all our current consultations. The consultations will allow members of the public to comment directly on our proposals including changes to bus services and other TfL projects.
Recent disruption to bus services because of snow and ice, which led to termination of buses should of their intended destinations. Apparently there were problems communicating the suspension of bus services to passengers who were left waiting for buses that were not running. Councillors are asking why it was not possible to notify passengers through the Countdown boards at bus stops.
TfL are aware that there was an issue during the most recent ‘snow day’ where some Countdown signs were displaying incorrect bus arrival times for buses that had been severely delayed or suspended. As the Countdown system uses real-time data, when sudden delays or suspensions occur there can, at times, be a slight delay in the information displayed on Countdown signs updating. TfL are able to, and do, display messages on Countdown signs, advising customers of disruptions to bus services. Messages were displayed using the Countdown signs however due to feedback the policy regarding timing of these messages is currently under review.
The following message was displayed on Countdown signs, “Travel Alert: Due to the adverse weather bus services are liable to be delayed, diverted or cancelled”.
Are there any plans to review bus services in the light of these new projects?
TfL constantly review bus services in the light of land-use developments to ensure that resources are being allocated and the service pattern reflects overall travel needs.
All major proposed developments are referred to the Mayor for planning permission and the impact on transport provision is assessed as part of that process. Smaller developments are not necessarily referred and plans to refurbish Hornsey Town Hall would likely fall into that category.
TfL would be pleased to receive the latest information available in relation to these two projects.
STATEMENT TO THE CROUCH END AREA ASSEMBLY, 13TH JANUARY 2011, FROM HARINGEY POLICE
Haringey Review of Safer Neighbourhoods.
Haringey Police recognises the significant contribution our SNTs have made to safety and confidence across the Borough.
We appreciate the great benefits from having dedicated officers and PCSOs that are not abstracted, with the specific remit of improving community confidence and addressing local crime and disorder and we are committed to maintaining dedicated named officers in your neighbourhood.
Last years Comprehensive Spending Review means the public sector faces the challenge of maintaining standards of service delivery whilst making savings. As part of this we are currently reviewing SNTs.
The purpose of the review is to find better ways of using current neighbourhood policing resources to meet the needs of the local community. It will also ensure that local police teams continue to deliver an effective and relevant service in the right place at the right times. The review will focus on the locations of Safer Neighbourhoods teams, what they do and how they are structured.
The review will be carried out by gathering the thoughts and feedback of local partners, such as the local authority and members of the community. This feedback will help plan any possible future changes. No changes will be made without talking to local partners and community members.
You can be involved in the review by completing an online questionnaire. The questions will gather your thoughts about neighbourhood policing in your area and will play a valuable part in shaping plans for the future of neighbourhood policing in London.
You can find the questionnaire at http://www.keysurvey.co.uk/survey/339166/19e4/. It will be available until the 21st January 2011.