Correct, HMT are using TfL to effectively trial road pricing technology and elasticities before they need to think about starting to roll it out nationally in 2028-2030 to deal with increasing numbers of EVs.
TFL website still says "We prefer that you use a vehicle that meets the emissions standards rather than pay a daily charge" so if it's intended to generate a net financial surplus then they aren't being very open about it!
Currently ULEZ is an absolute flop financially vs what was predicted (large 8 figure sum per annum less than expected). 90%+ of people did get the hint and use more compliant vehicles.
TfL are also fairly open than camera coverage isn't blanket (unlike congestion charging zone). Cost of more cameras vs small amounts of extra revenue weren't worth it.
I know someone who lives within the ULEZ area with a non-compliant vehicle and doesn't get charged for every day they drive despite being registered for autopay, which suggests less than blanket camera coverage
Euro 6 did not cut out the pollution directly, the Euro6 standard was downgraded to Euro 5 - 10% after lobbying by the car makers, the diesel cars were still pumping out multiples of the original 80mg Nox figure, especially in town driving as the Adblue systems (if fitted) closed down in those driving situations. Indirectly Euro 6 has cut Nox pollution, the car makers, unable to meet Euro6 standards without expensive redesign of the engines and systems, withdrew many diesel cars from their sales range.
I think, given the fiduciary duties of directors, that they have no choice.
TfL have secured extended funding by DfT, it was in a Tweet sent by Sadiq Khan last week. He still seems bitter about it though and will continue with cutting some bus routes back or deleting others. Other parts of TfL such as the Overground are running well, with Barking Riverside the latest station, and Bond Street opening soon on the Elizabeth Line.
No, the DfT has tabled a proposed long term funding deal for consideration.
Ok... thanks for letting me know. I think they will wait until September and see if a new PM and perhaps Transport Minister will deal with the matter. A handful of bus routes are still under threat. Not road or rail related, but have noticed the lack of red route enforcement of late in some areas, but lots of Revenue Protection teams on routes where the LT's (New Routemaster, nick-named "free bus" by kids due to 3 door entry and exit) operate.
Not true. TfL received an offer from DfT on 22 Jul 22 which they are evaluating. As ever the devil is doubtless in the detail.
All door boarding on the New Routemaster buses was scrapped in early 2020 (although ironically mandatory boarding by the middle door where available was brought back in spring 2020 for a short while due to health concerns regarding bus drivers).
You still see a lot of scrotes boarding through the middle and rear doors.
A few I'd say, dependent on route. Some go to the front to touch in.
So those ones at least are not fare dodgers but taking advantage of all three doors as originally envisaged and put into action (there had to be something favourable about the vehicles!)
Sunday 24th July, London was hot/sweaty/sticky and congested with traffic, the date included a running day of vintage buses and coaches out of Victoria coach station to mark 90 years since opening, route 11, Victoria to the Aldwych of the Strand, included several RT buses interlaced with current buses working the route, the RT bus which I rode on route 11, the first examples built before WW2, simply thrived on the work , spirited stop to stop running, minimal dwell times at stops courtesy of an enthusiastic conductor on the platform, (no chance of fare dodging). It is remarkable that an elderly 1930s bus is as capable as any modern bus for the task of shifting passengers, I have many doubts as to how much real progress has occurred in the last 50 years for London bus travel
Apart from the environmental benefits, the benefits to people with pushchairs or in wheelchairs, the huge cost saving of not having a conductor, the increase in the number of people carried, the comfort of not having to sit in a low-roofed sweatbox and the increased sense of safety and accessibility. Apart from those trifling things I can absolutely see what you mean.
Harsh on the buyers, but not harsh on the manufacturers who committed the fraud, USA tackled the problem heads on, is the car compliant with the emissions regulations? yes/no? If not, the owner handed back the car and had their money refunded by the manufacturer, and all backed up by USA law, in the Eu, we are still waiting
But can only use our ENCTS passes on buses after 0930. Not tube, rail or tram.
The problem is that politicians (and many others) conflate efficiency with effectiveness. The government and private firms bidding for rail franchises though BR was inefficient, but found no costs to remove (indeed the model of privatisation inevitably drove costs up). BR was then (and the NHS is now) much less good at delivering the public’s expectation of the service level they want. The NHS mostly does, but often after a long wait and/or journey to access the service…
Yes, absolutely. The RT was a wonderful vehicle for its time and great to travel on now for nostalgia, but so obviously not fit for purpose for so many people who are now able to access the bus network as a matter of routine.
In London any ENCTS pass is accepted after 09:00 and any disabled ENCTS pass is accepted at any time
But an RT will never have to be thrashed in sub 20 mile per hour speeds in central London... it's a shame the congestion and cycle lanes have spoilt bus travel in London. The best time for buses was the early 2000s when Stagecoach had these fantastic Scania engined Routemasters that had a great turn of speed for such an iconic bus!
Re your first para the reengined Routemasters were better for who? There were lots of contemporary reports about drivers suffering from excessive vibration.
These were 50 year old vehicles at best... so they were not going to last forever. As a passenger they were iconic, but they were not great for disabled passengers for accessibility.
Re your last para apparently the refurb of BoZo's vanity project is likely to be so expensive there is every chance that they will be scrapped and replaced by something more mainstream. Good riddance to bad junk if so.
