Forum Topic

The 85 bus

I have just seen a flyer from Lee Roberts regarding the proposed/forthcoming reduction of service of the 85 bus.Lee Robers says Sadiq Khan is cutting the frequency of the 85 bus which runs to and from Kingston and Putney Bridge.From TFL website:"Changes to buses from Saturday, 29 June 2024 ........24-hour route 85 will have a new timetable on all days of the week with journey times revised to better reflect current traffic levels. Buses will now run every 10 minutes during both the daytime and evening on all days of the week. The night service will continue to run every 30 minutes on all nights of the week."https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/bus-changesDoes anyone know what "...to better reflect current traffic levels." means?  I do not understand really what is happening.  I thought we were all supposed to use public transport more as well as walking and cycling. However, one of the buses that runs close to home will have its service reduced.  ??????  Use public transport more?????

Ivonne Holliday ● 374d7 Comments

@IvonneRead my post again Ivonne, this time properly.

Sue Hammond ● 374d

The bus companies run routes on behalf of TFL. TFL sets the timetables etc."Richmond is not at all affected by ULEZ as it does not reach there."ULEZ goes all the way West & South West to the M25 now.https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/ulez-where-and-whenUnfortunately it comes down to budgets & management.ULEZ expansion has not produced enough income nor reduced congestion. I suspect that the 20 MPH expansion was probably not costed either. That in itself will lead to more cost with buses taking longer when the roads are clear.Trying to fine poor people is not a very good business model.TFL also seem to believe that having ever bigger buses is the solution - probably because the important people at TFL do not travel by bus.There is also a hidden cost to the economy that is rarely mentioned. Many people especially women do not want to travel on overcrowded buses/tubes & trains. I'm not saying men do but that kind of travelling is enough to put off a significant number of people from choosing certain locations to work. This means we are not always getting the best candidates for a lot of jobs that involve commuting. Of course there are other reasons & factors but this is a major reason that is seldom mentioned.https://www.mylondon.news/news/transport/london-bus-services-seen-no-29358271"A new report by council officers set out common concerns raised by residents about local bus services - including overcrowding, early terminations, lengthy waits during driver changeovers, idling, and bus information boards being out of action or unreliable. The council's transport committee approved a set of priorities to raise to TfL in a bid to tackle these issues on June 10"

Ed Robinson ● 374d

Who said I helped elect him?

Ivonne Holliday ● 374d

Why not ask Khan Ivonne? I if you were one of the people who helped elect him you have the right to know what he's up to.

Sue Hammond ● 374d

Apologies, Ed.  I am not being obtuse, just very irritated and in total disbelief.Travelling at rush hour is quite hair raising as buses arrive and you cannot get on them because they are full to the brim. Trains that are jam packed and travel by tube is like being in can of sardines...

Ivonne Holliday ● 374d

Thank you Ed.But how does this affect bus routes?  TFL is not getting enough revenue from ULEZ hence cut bus services?? PfffffYou say that the ULEZ expansion means more money needs to be diverted to outer London.  Richmond is not at all affected by ULEZ as it does not reach there.The 85 is run by London United but owned by RATP, a French company.  Therefore, are RATP complaining of loss of revenue due to heavy traffic??? It is all such a mess everywhere!

Ivonne Holliday ● 374d

The ULEZ expansion means more money needs to be diverted to outer London. Richmond were also complaining about poor services following ULEZ.In addition to the high installation costs, ULEZ revenue collection is not going well. Additional costs continue to be incurred including extra policing, security, replacement equipment costs etc.It didn't go down well with the EU either when TFL accessed EU member data meant for criminal investigations by EU member states, not civil fines by non-EU states. I imagine there will be some costly legal fees and court cases."The Guardian can reveal Transport for London (TfL) has been accused by five EU countries of illegally obtaining the names and addresses of their citizens in order to issue the fines, with more than 320,000 penalties, some totalling thousands of euros, sent out since 2021.""Most drivers hit with £180 Ulez fine since expansion have failed to pay itTfL says almost a million fines were ‘outstanding’ – or unpaid after a month – leaving it owed £218,316,553"https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/ulez-fines-london-drivers-tfl-ultra-low-emission-zone-b1159131.html

Ed Robinson ● 374d