I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone that has signed and shared the petition we currently have 5000 signatures “Amazing”.

Update I have contacted TfL “Have your say” and they tell me that our petition is at the top of the list for customer reaction.

They welcome all feedback and will take all comments into consideration they have advised me that detailed comments can be left on their survey.

So I encourage everyone to go back onto the TfL consultation website below:

https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/busreview   

Please fill in the survey as these comments will aid our cause (the survey comments are allowed to also count towards our petition) to save the Route 12 Bus, for those with Mobility/Priority seating/Areas issues it will be great to air your comments regarding the proposed termination between Westminster and Oxford Circus.

– I have sent them a letter (attached copy below) outlining our comments and concerns and why they should not get rid of the 12 Bus.

Also I will be talking to someone from the Media on the 16th June to see if we can get more publicity.

 

 

Comments in regard to proposal by TfL to Withdraw Bus route 12

The Heritage Bus Route 12 is one of the oldest in London, going back to at least 1851, along with the routes 9 and 11. In February 1907, the first bus produced by British Automobile Development Co. and Brush Electrical Engineering Co. Ltd. went into service on this route. 

Tilling-Stevens petrol electric buses were used on route 12, running between Oxford Circus and Peckham.

(Wikipedia)

The Route 12 Bus is an Iconic part of South East London’s Historic Culture; the route passes a number of tourist attractions and landmarks and has been suggested as part of a cheaper alternative to formal bus tours of London, which brings a lot of joy to passengers.

Many people use this route, as a direct link into the West End, as we do not have a London Underground Station in this part of South East London, the 12 Bus route is our Community Tube/Direct link to the West End for Theatre-Land and Shopping etc.

The number 12 route needs to maintain the route Dulwich Library to Oxford Circus as it is our gateway to Central London, people with mobility problems will be discriminated against as they may not be able to change at Westminster to travel onto Oxford Circus, as transferring onto a alternative bus will be very awkward for them, not being able to get back into a Priority/ mobility impaired seating or Wheelchair/ Pram area, which they may have had on the 12 Bus (for which they may have already waited a long time to get one of these priority areas on route from Dulwich Library).

“Enhancing the inclusivity of our services An inclusively designed transport network enables everyone to make end-to-end trips spontaneously, easily, conveniently, safely and with dignity”(TfL Bus action plan)

Asking people with mobility impaired issues to change at Westminster is not fair as they could be waiting for a quite a while to get a priority seat on another bus at a very busy interchange.

If this proposal does get initiated then this Demographic would be put off using the bus in the future, as they would be discriminated against and ultimately take away their independence. Whilst we have Peckham Rye Railway Station on route this does not offer any Step Free Access.

“Currently, Peckham Rye is the busiest interchange station in the entire country without step free access to platforms or accessible facilities for passengers. The station is also not designed for the current number of passengers using it today”. (Network Rail)

 

Another thing to take into consideration is that sometimes it can take up to one hour+ to get to Westminster Station from Dulwich, if that was the case then the ‘Hopper Fare’ would be redundant and passengers would need to pay another £1.65 to get to Oxford Circus this would hit travellers and especially low paid workers very hard as they could end up paying twice.

“The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, launched his one hour bus fare – the 'Hopper' – in September 2016. Bus and tram passengers can take two journeys for the price of one, within an hour of starting their journey. This was one of Sadiq's manifesto pledges, making travel easier and more affordable for many Londoners”. (Mayors Office)

 

The Proposal to remove the number 12 bus and replace it with the 148 Bus is not welcomed by the local community and users of the Bus Route, this is shown in the speed the petition has taken off, in less than one week there have been more than 4000 signatures on the petition.

Route 148 commenced Operation on 5 October 2002 between Shepherd's Bush Green and Camberwell Green via Holland Park Avenue, there is no Heritage Status on this route.

So using the Heritage status the number 12 Bus route should be retained and the 148 should be withdrawn.

Suggestion:

Perhaps a hybrid route 12A could split at Westminster and cover the 148 Route up to Shepherds Bush and back to Westminster???