TFL initial response to Radio Jackie, and our counter response

TFL initial response to Radio Jackie;

A TfL spokesperson said: “We, along with the bus operator, Go Ahead, are determined to ensure that people can rely on London's bus network and we're sorry that customers using the 213 have experienced issues recently. We want to make sure everyone can get to where they need to be and drivers are trained to always pick customers up unless the bus is full or a stop is temporarily closed.

“Feedback from our customers is important to us and we are working closely with bus operators to improve reliability and will look into the crowding issue that has been raised.”

 

Our Counter-response;

Thank you for acknowledging the concerns raised about the 213 bus service and recognising that passengers have experienced difficulties. 

However, your response falls considerably short of addressing the seriousness and extent of the problems outlined in our petition.

A promise to "look into" crowding is not sufficient at this stage. Numerous complaints have been sent to you by local families in recent months. Data from TFL clearly shows the extent of the issues.

As recently as yesterday, children were waiting 45 minutes to get on a 213 at Worcester Park. It is a recurring problem affecting children's ability to get to school on time.

Telling us that drivers are trained to pick up passengers does nothing to help a child who has waited 40 or 50 minutes, only to watch another full bus drive past.

The issue is insufficient capacity and an unreliable service. It requires operational solutions, not simply a reminder of existing driver procedures.

We are interested in more than the number of buses operating.

Our petition specifically raised concerns about bus journeys being curtailed, leaving children stranded, sometimes a considerable distance from where they need to be, with no certainty about when another bus will arrive.

We also highlighted the problem of long gaps between services, followed by two or three buses arriving together.

Your response does not address any of these concerns.

We need a specific investigation, not an open-ended promise

We would like TfL to confirm whether it will:

Review the operational decisions that result in buses being curtailed or turned around.
Review and increase bus frequency and/or capacity during school commuting hours.
Investigate and address the recurring gaps between services.
Provide a clear timescale for the investigation and explain what improvements will be implemented.
We ask TfL to move beyond general assurances and provide a substantive response addressing each of the concerns raised, together with specific actions and timescales.

Sadiq Khan’s mayoral transport strategy aims to encourage early public transport habits and reduce car use on the school run. 

The 213 bus service is failing to deliver this.