London's bus improvements get Parliamentary seal of approval

Published by webmaster for Mayor of London's Press Office in Communities

The improvements made to bus services in the capital and the huge increases in passenger ridership that have been achieved as a result were applauded today by the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee.

Bus ridership in London in recent years has climbed to levels not seen since the 1960s, bucking the UK downward trend. 

The all party select committee’s report into the "Delivery Chain Analysis For Bus Services In England”, published today includes glowing praise for the progress made in London in it’s conclusions and recommendations.

The report says: "The success in London can be attributed to the commitment shown by the Mayor and Transport for London; measures to support growth and investment in bus services while restricting car use; and a straightforward delivery chain achieved through effective regulation.”

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said: "This report recognises that the quality of London's bus services has been completely transformed over the last five years. This success shows that with adequate investment and strong leadership public services can be improved dramatically. We are now working to extend the improvements already seen on London buses to the Underground and other parts of the transport system.'

Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy CBE said: "What we have seen in London in recent years shoes that effective regulation, political will, prudent investment and, crucially, listening to what the public want and then delivering it to them can achieve.

"With 8000 buses on 700 routes the London bus network is now the most comprehensive public transport operation in Europe.  Couple this with the Tube, and the other public transport networks and a picture emerges of a city which is delivering a real alternative to the private car for millions of Londoners and visitors.”

London has seen bus usage increase by 40% since 2000/01 whilst elsewhere in England bus usage has fallen by 7%.

The Public Accounts Committee Report follows on from other recent positive reports on the bus network in the capital from the National Audit Office, Audit Commission and the London Assembly Transport Committee.

Ends

Press release issued: May 23 2006