London TravelWatch has expressed its disappointment at the decision to phase out articulated (bendy) buses on routes 521 (between Waterloo and London Bridge via Holborn), 507 (between Waterloo and Victoria via Westminster) and 38 (between Victoria and Clapton Pond via the West End and Islington).

Sharon Grant, Chair, London TravelWatch, said: “London TravelWatch believes that the use of the bendy buses on routes like the 521, 507 and 38 has overwhelming advantages in terms of accessibility, effective use of limited road space, and minimising time spent at stops. No credible reason to scrap these buses has been given.”

London TravelWatch believes that scrapping the bendy buses on these routes represents poor value for money for bus users, and that TfL should be more explicit both about the actual costs involved and the reasons for the decision.

Sharon Grant continued: “The costs of using conventional buses on these routes may be significantly higher than using bendy buses, and TfL really needs to publish the figures involved, so everyone can judge whether it represents value for money or not. There has been no serious research undertaken into the alleged risks faced by cyclists. Nor have passengers actually using bendy buses been asked what they think of them.

“London TravelWatch has seen no evidence that points to the need to replace bendy buses on these routes, and unless TfL can provide evidence to the contrary, we will continue to argue that it is a backwards step for transport users in terms of accessibility, capacity and congestion, which does not appear to represent value for money.”

For more information, please contact Jo deBank in the London TravelWatch press office on 020 7726 9953 or out of hours on 07734 055494

London TravelWatch's original response, background paper and news release responding to the consultation are all available on our website.

The voice of London's transport users
5 December 2008