Forum Topic

Problems with the bus services in Putney

The SW15 news page reports that a crisis meeting was held to address the poor state of the bus service. Amongst the contributing factors that were included were "ongoing disruptions from the closure of Hammersmith Bridge, ongoing utility works, delivery obstructions on Putney High Street, recent works to improve the junction at Putney Bridge and road changes in Fulham."Oddly, but hardly surprisingly, too nany cars clogging up the system were not included in the list, when they are the real problem.

Richard Carter ● 76d13 Comments

In most councils, 25% of council tax receipts gets paid into the council staff pension fund. In others, it's way higher. Then include wages there’s little leftto run local the authorities.Councils are a waste of tax payers money.

Paul Beer ● 72d

This sort of service was doing quite well before the pandemic:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demand-responsive-transport-local-authority-toolkit/demand-responsive-transport-local-authority-toolkitIt is very successful in other countries and with cleaner transport could be tried again here.  It can take a while to build up a clientele.

Philippa Bond ● 73d

Paul,I agree with more transparency needed & the waste of more resources to slightly modify roads & paths that were just done a few years ago.However withholding council tax may be OK for those that can afford to do so but it is a little known fact that local government is one of the worse for throwing people into debt by demanding the complete yearly amount of council tax is paid in full if the payer is late for whatever reason.If people are not in the situation where they can pay the full amount as opposed by 10 monthly payments then I would suggest that they seek some independent legal advice before withholding any payments.

Ed Robinson ● 74d

Had contact with local councillors requested more details on this dreadful local Labour road scheme. Conservatives told us it’s hundreds of thousands over budget. Wandsworth residents and businesses had little time to object during July 2023 (many away during holiday period plus no door drop notification)Today it’s quicker to walk during peak times to Putney from Wandsworth and cycling from my experience is more dangerous with sheer volume of traffic.local council and it’s 2030 agenda need to be put under pressure from residents/ businesses. Suggest when the new council tax contract starts April 2025 withhold payment until all details are made transparent and the benefits to local businesses and residents are made clear.

Paul Beer ● 74d

Now, now, Richard.....The service of buses has been beyond appalling of late.  Nothing to do with cars!  Why reduce the number of buses from 6 an hour to 3 - if that?  Of course, when they arrive at a stop nobody can get on because they are full to the brim.  Truly helpful - who for?Also, the number of buses that stop before their destination is irritating to say the least!  The latest "fad" is for buses to decant all passengers by the Litton Grove stop and continue to the Green Man empty!!  Grrrrrr!The aim is to get people out of cars and to use public transport.  If there is no public transport......The queues on Putney Hill and Putney High Street - in both directions - may be caused by volume of cars.  But the synchronization of lights is beyond a joke, the narrowing of the High Street does not help and the road works lately have caused more than chaos. You rant about the number of cars implying it is lazy people who drive for say 2 miles.  You have not included in your equation all those extra Ubers that have been licensed. "Latest TfL figures show that there are just over 17,000 licensed taxi drivers in London but more than 108,000 minicab drivers.There are only 14,600 black cabs but more than 94,000 licensed minicabs."https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/uber-london-new-operating-licence-tfl-b1183244.htmlThey have drivers only when en route to collect passengers and the same after they have reached destination.If your idea of extra LTNs is to go by, just check what is happening in Fulham.  From personal experience, LTNs cause more chaos than solve any problems you proclaim.Not all drivers are out there for an outing.  Many do need to use their cars.  I can give you examples if you so wish.I have mentioned endlessly that all cars in Putney do not originate in Putney but beyond the M25.  Find solutions for park and ride and it will make everybody's life much easier.And provide reliable public transport.  Not everybody can walk distances or ride a bike. I could go on but will not bore you any further.

Ivonne Holliday ● 76d

"But if they're electric rather than ICE cars then pollution is cut"Not if they are holding up diesel buses and other ULEZ compliance ICE vehicles.

Ed Robinson ● 76d

David,Many bus routes are still based on hay locations from over a hundred years ago.There is a lack of accurate data on bus usage as users just tap in not out.Buses have increased in size and roads have been narrowed.Boarding buses takes too long and the design is not suitable for those that need wheeled access.Often there is not enough free space on the lower deck to accommodate more than one person that needs wheeled access.Over running mean buses terminate early leading to overcrowding and an infrequent service towards the end of routes.The number of bus miles TFL have been providing has been dropping every year.Every 1 mph increase of average bus speeds would save £400m several years ago - since then fuel & wages have gone up and bus speeds decreased.Buses with long routes are run with cheaper fares alongside greened tube & overground routes mainly because of historical social class distinctions. TFL provides a more expensive to run, slower but cheaper fare, dirtier means of transport that competes with other cleaner forms which has to be the most stupid policy ever!The list goes on - but let's just keep things how they or provide some stupid suggestions as the only alternative is why this country is in such a mess!

Ed Robinson ● 76d

But if they're electric rather than ICE cars then pollution is cut - and if they're not moving there's not so many particulates from tyres and brakes :-) (and I'm told by a friend who uses an electric car regularly that if one drives them properly the engine braking can do most of the work rather than the brake pads, although the weight of the battery can cause more tyre wear).

Michael Ixer ● 76d

"Lol! The ULEZ isn't designed to cut congestion buy pollution."Let's just pretend the two -  congestion & pollution are not linked:We have a congestion charge to cut pollution and a pollution charge that doesn't cut congestion.What a load of nonsense those that excuse bad policy come out with!

Ed Robinson ● 76d

"But what about bus jams? Buses simply unable to pass another bus(es) that has parked. No doubt there is an evaporation theory to that too??"Obviously we need more demolition and road widening. Plus smaller, narrower buses which will help with driver employment. Of course, the demolition will encourage house-building and road construction. Encourage more flying cars and double level roads, as well as drone deliveries (careful with that fridge, Eugene!).

David Ainsworth ● 76d

"As warned ULEZ expansion would not fix congestion a costly political mistake."Lol! The ULEZ isn't designed to cut congestion buy pollution. The clue is in the name, ULEZ.

Richard Carter ● 76d

"Oddly, but hardly surprisingly, too nany cars clogging up the system"As warned ULEZ expansion would not fix congestion a costly political mistake.But what about bus jams? Buses simply unable to pass another bus(es) that has parked. No doubt there is an evaporation theory to that too??London's buses need modernising ordering two door ever larger buses is not the answer no matter how many USB-B charging points they have.

Ed Robinson ● 76d

A crisis meeting about the poor state of bus services in Putney may not have come as a great surprise to many readers of this forum...I have commented several times recently about the dislocation of bus timetables. The number of cars passing through Putney seems unlikely to decrease and any plan to pedestrianise the High Street will not be submitted given that it is an important arterial road.

Miles Thompson ● 76d