Antisocial behaviour blamed for declining bus usage in London

Bus ridership in the capital is down nearly 23% over the past decade despite below-inflation fare increases over that time, reports Kumail Jaffer, Local Democracy Reporter

Antisocial behaviour and personal safety fears are putting off Londoners from using buses, the Conservative Party has claimed.

Bus demand in the capital fell 1.5% last year and was down 22.8% on its peak in 2015, according to data from Transport for London (TfL). This is despite fares rising by just 25p in the last decade, far below inflation levels.

While there are numerous factors blamed for the decline in ridership, including slow speeds due to road congestion, the Tories have now pointed to safety as a key factor that TfL and Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan should address.

In an essay for the Conservative Environment Network (CEN), shadow transport secretary Richard Holden said that any doubts about taking the bus are “compounded by the everyday reality of antisocial behaviour”.

“To raise standards and renew public faith in the safe, comfortable journeys on which bus users should be able to rely, there must be genuine enforcement both at bus stops and on board,” he said.

This includes an expansion of CCTV both on bus stops and on board the vehicles to deter and identify criminal behaviour.

He also called for “visible staff patrols”, along with enhanced powers to deal with criminals, like that seen on some of the rail network.

“Our buses clearly need a turnaround, moving away from the problems that have kept people from getting on board and towards a service people can choose with pride and confidence,” Holden wrote.

Last year a TfL survey found that almost four in ten people using London’s transport network have “felt worried” while nearly a tenth were deterred from travelling due to a worrying incident they had experienced.

On the bus network, the most cited incidents included youth and school-related antisocial behaviour, threatening behaviour and language of others, and passengers pushing and shoving each other.

The danger appears to have become so stark on some higher risk routes that the London Assembly passed a motion calling for lifesaving bleed control kits to be installed at bus stations and along some routes.

Bus driver safety is also a concern, with hundreds reporting being assaulted last year.

Isabel Goodwin, head of outreach for CEN, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “To connect communities and cut air pollution in London, buses need to remain affordable, comfortable, and safe.

“However, antisocial behaviour continues to be a major barrier for Londoners who want to utilise this vital, clean form of transport. To prevent permanent reputational damage for London’s bus infrastructure, Sadiq Khan needs to implement bold policies that make passengers feel safe.

Holden, she said, “provides a clear roadmap to restore public confidence in London’s buses”. This includes expanding CCTV to more bus stops in London and increasing the number of uniformed staff.

“The mayor could clamp down on antisocial behaviour and make people feel safe waiting for and riding the bus,” she added. “For the sake of London’s future prosperity and health, Sadiq Khan would be wise to heed these suggestions.”

Siwan Hayward, TfL’s director of security, policing and enforcement, said: “We’re determined to ensure that everyone in the capital can travel safely and a safe and secure bus network is a key part of this.

“All of London’s buses and bus stations are fully equipped with extensive CCTV to ensure customer and staff safety, with ongoing trials of CCTV at selected bus stops across the capital.

“London’s bus network is also patrolled by TfL’s 300-strong transport support and enforcement operational officers who provide a visible and reassuring presence, tackling fare evasion and antisocial behaviour such as drinking and vaping. 100 more officers are being recruited this year to keep the night bus network safe.

“We’ll continue to work closely with the police and our other partners to ensure all Londoners can continue to rely on a safe, low-crime bus network around the clock.”

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